diff --git a/scripts/workers/services/telecom/auto_filing.py b/scripts/workers/services/telecom/auto_filing.py
index 2e53fa4..f6145de 100644
--- a/scripts/workers/services/telecom/auto_filing.py
+++ b/scripts/workers/services/telecom/auto_filing.py
@@ -74,6 +74,10 @@ def _env_truthy(value: str | None) -> bool:
 
 def _settings_from_erpnext() -> tuple[bool, str]:
     """Read ``Compliance Settings`` from ERPNext — returns (enabled, admin_email)."""
+    # Fast path: if AUTO_FILING_ENABLED env var is explicitly set, skip ERPNext
+    env_val = os.environ.get("AUTO_FILING_ENABLED")
+    if env_val is not None:
+        return _env_truthy(env_val), (os.environ.get("ADMIN_EMAIL") or DEFAULT_ADMIN_EMAIL)
     try:
         from scripts.workers.erpnext_client import ERPNextClient