diff --git a/SAS/TMSS/backend/services/lobster/lib/deploy_configuration.py b/SAS/TMSS/backend/services/lobster/lib/deploy_configuration.py
index 0005a901cf9113095038ff9aa172344c1de2d8ca..81e55722de330ffecfd992ea4c587e7bca2df905 100644
--- a/SAS/TMSS/backend/services/lobster/lib/deploy_configuration.py
+++ b/SAS/TMSS/backend/services/lobster/lib/deploy_configuration.py
@@ -20,13 +20,14 @@
 #
 # $Id$
 
+from lofar.common import isProductionEnvironment
 
 def station_to_host(station: str) -> str:
     """Convert name of station into connectable URL for connecting to PyTango"""
     return f"{station}c.control.lofar"
 
 # Node from which observations are started on COBALT
-COBALT_HEADNODE = "cbm299.control.lofar"
+COBALT_HEADNODE = "cbm299.control.lofar" if isProductionEnvironment() else "localhost"
 
 # Storage location for parsets on COBALT_HEADNODE
 COBALT_PARSET_DIR = "/opt/lofar/var/run"