diff --git a/Dockerfile b/Dockerfile
index a59d486..27ba980 100644
--- a/Dockerfile
+++ b/Dockerfile
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-FROM golang:1.19.5-alpine as go-builder
+FROM golang:1.21.1-alpine as go-builder
 WORKDIR /authorizer
 COPY server server
 COPY Makefile .
diff --git a/server/handlers/playground.go b/server/handlers/playground.go
index b8ae5b8..14ce52f 100644
--- a/server/handlers/playground.go
+++ b/server/handlers/playground.go
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ func PlaygroundHandler() gin.HandlerFunc {
 		disablePlayground, err := memorystore.Provider.GetBoolStoreEnvVariable(constants.EnvKeyDisablePlayGround)
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Debug("error while getting disable playground value")
-			return
+			disablePlayground = false
 		}
 
 		// if env set to false, then check if logged in as super admin, if logged in then return graphql else 401 error