--- a/browser/app/profile/firefox.js
+++ b/browser/app/profile/firefox.js
@@ -126,17 +126,21 @@ pref("app.update.altwindowtype", "Browse
 pref("app.update.log", false);
 
 // The number of general background check failures to allow before notifying the
 // user of the failure. User initiated update checks always notify the user of
 // the failure.
 pref("app.update.backgroundMaxErrors", 10);
 
 // Whether or not app updates are enabled
+#ifdef MOZ_UPDATER
 pref("app.update.enabled", true);
+#else
+pref("app.update.enabled", false);
+#endif
 
 // Whether or not to use the doorhanger application update UI.
 pref("app.update.doorhanger", true);
 
 // Ids of the links to the "What's new" update documentation
 pref("app.update.link.updateAvailableWhatsNew", "update-available-whats-new");
 pref("app.update.link.updateManualWhatsNew", "update-manual-whats-new");