diff --git a/hermes_cli/tools_config.py b/hermes_cli/tools_config.py
index e70760da81..0423cf01b3 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/tools_config.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/tools_config.py
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ from hermes_cli.nous_subscription import (
     get_nous_subscription_features,
 )
 from tools.tool_backend_helpers import fal_key_is_configured, managed_nous_tools_enabled
-from utils import base_url_hostname
+from utils import base_url_hostname, is_truthy_value
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -1188,7 +1188,7 @@ def _is_provider_active(provider: dict, config: dict) -> bool:
                 configured_provider = image_cfg.get("provider")
                 if configured_provider not in (None, "", "fal"):
                     return False
-                if image_cfg.get("use_gateway") is False:
+                if image_cfg.get("use_gateway") is not None and not is_truthy_value(image_cfg.get("use_gateway"), default=False):
                     return False
             return feature.managed_by_nous
         if provider.get("tts_provider"):
@@ -1220,7 +1220,7 @@ def _is_provider_active(provider: dict, config: dict) -> bool:
         return (
             provider["imagegen_backend"] == "fal"
             and configured_provider in (None, "", "fal")
-            and not image_cfg.get("use_gateway")
+            and not is_truthy_value(image_cfg.get("use_gateway"), default=False)
         )
     return False