diff --git a/autogalaxy/plot/plot_utils.py b/autogalaxy/plot/plot_utils.py
index b95f8b2c..8ff5f8ea 100644
--- a/autogalaxy/plot/plot_utils.py
+++ b/autogalaxy/plot/plot_utils.py
@@ -372,6 +372,9 @@ def _caustics_from(mass_obj, grid):
     tuple[list, list]
         ``(tangential_caustics, radial_caustics)``.
     """
+    if os.environ.get("PYAUTO_DISABLE_CRITICAL_CAUSTICS") == "1":
+        return [], []
+
     from autogalaxy.operate.lens_calc import LensCalc
 
     od = LensCalc.from_mass_obj(mass_obj)
@@ -421,6 +424,9 @@ def _critical_curves_from(mass_obj, grid, tc=None, rc=None):
     """
     from autogalaxy.operate.lens_calc import LensCalc
 
+    if os.environ.get("PYAUTO_DISABLE_CRITICAL_CAUSTICS") == "1":
+        return [], []
+
     if tc is None:
         od = LensCalc.from_mass_obj(mass_obj)
         method = _critical_curves_method()