diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/synthetics/server/routes/synthetics_service/enablement.ts b/x-pack/plugins/synthetics/server/routes/synthetics_service/enablement.ts
index 87a10dbee9a8e..9a59ea1202acd 100644
--- a/x-pack/plugins/synthetics/server/routes/synthetics_service/enablement.ts
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/synthetics/server/routes/synthetics_service/enablement.ts
@@ -30,7 +30,9 @@ export const getSyntheticsEnablementRoute: SyntheticsRestApiRouteFactory = (libs
         });
       }
       const regenerationRequired = !isEnabled || !isValid;
-      if (canEnable && regenerationRequired && server.config.service?.manifestUrl) {
+      const shouldEnableApiKey =
+        server.config.service?.manifestUrl || server.config.service?.devUrl;
+      if (canEnable && regenerationRequired && shouldEnableApiKey) {
         await generateAndSaveServiceAPIKey({
           request,
           authSavedObjectsClient: savedObjectsClient,
diff --git a/x-pack/plugins/synthetics/server/synthetics_service/get_api_key.ts b/x-pack/plugins/synthetics/server/synthetics_service/get_api_key.ts
index e92f5956741b5..4c1c125c37085 100644
--- a/x-pack/plugins/synthetics/server/synthetics_service/get_api_key.ts
+++ b/x-pack/plugins/synthetics/server/synthetics_service/get_api_key.ts
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ export const getSyntheticsEnablement = async ({ server }: { server: UptimeServer
 
   const { canEnable, canManageApiKeys } = hasPrivileges;
 
-  if (!config.service?.manifestUrl) {
+  if (!config.service?.manifestUrl && !config.service?.devUrl) {
     return {
       canEnable: true,
       canManageApiKeys,