diff --git a/cvat/settings/base.py b/cvat/settings/base.py
index c1ecc9992cc4..51f9f619dca6 100644
--- a/cvat/settings/base.py
+++ b/cvat/settings/base.py
@@ -225,7 +225,11 @@ def add_ssh_keys():
 
 # Django Auth
 DJANGO_AUTH_TYPE = 'BASIC'
-DJANGO_AUTH_DEFAULT_GROUPS = []
+env_default_groups = os.get.env('DJANGO_AUTH_DEFAULT_GROUPS')
+if env_default_groups:
+    DJANGO_AUTH_DEFAULT_GROUPS = env_default_groups.split(',')
+else:
+    DJANGO_AUTH_DEFAULT_GROUPS = [ ]
 LOGIN_URL = 'rest_login'
 LOGIN_REDIRECT_URL = '/'