diff --git a/src/core/context.ts b/src/core/context.ts
index ff96c28c8..42c01dd1e 100644
--- a/src/core/context.ts
+++ b/src/core/context.ts
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ export function createTestContext(options: Partial<TestOptions>): TestContext {
     logLevel: 1,
     server: true,
     build: (options.browser !== false) || (options.server !== false),
+    env: {},
     nuxtConfig: {
       // suppress compatibility date warning for runtime environment tests
       compatibilityDate: '2024-04-03' as DateString,
@@ -25,6 +26,10 @@ export function createTestContext(options: Partial<TestOptions>): TestContext {
     },
   } satisfies Partial<TestOptions>)
 
+  if (!_options.dev) {
+    _options.env!.NODE_ENV ||= 'production'
+  }
+
   // Disable build and server if endpoint is provided
   if (_options.host) {
     _options.build = false