diff --git a/crates/goose/src/agents/recipe_tools/dynamic_task_tools.rs b/crates/goose/src/agents/recipe_tools/dynamic_task_tools.rs
index 8f6b2881b2..ff60052457 100644
--- a/crates/goose/src/agents/recipe_tools/dynamic_task_tools.rs
+++ b/crates/goose/src/agents/recipe_tools/dynamic_task_tools.rs
@@ -93,6 +93,9 @@ pub struct TaskParameter {
 }
 
 pub fn should_enabled_subagents(model_name: &str) -> bool {
+    if std::env::var("GOOSE_ENABLE_SUBAGENTS").is_err() {
+        return false;
+    }
     let config = crate::config::Config::global();
     let is_autonomous = config.get_goose_mode().unwrap_or(GooseMode::Auto) == GooseMode::Auto;
     if !is_autonomous {
diff --git a/scripts/test_subrecipes.sh b/scripts/test_subrecipes.sh
index 29920f2e2c..b1856b361a 100755
--- a/scripts/test_subrecipes.sh
+++ b/scripts/test_subrecipes.sh
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ export PATH="$SCRIPT_DIR/target/release:$PATH"
 # Set default provider and model if not already set
 export GOOSE_PROVIDER="${GOOSE_PROVIDER:-anthropic}"
 export GOOSE_MODEL="${GOOSE_MODEL:-claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929}"
+export GOOSE_ENABLE_SUBAGENTS=1
 
 echo "Using provider: $GOOSE_PROVIDER"
 echo "Using model: $GOOSE_MODEL"