diff --git a/packages/vite-plugin-angular/src/lib/angular-vite-plugin.ts b/packages/vite-plugin-angular/src/lib/angular-vite-plugin.ts
index 1fd1b9602..771eb04c5 100644
--- a/packages/vite-plugin-angular/src/lib/angular-vite-plugin.ts
+++ b/packages/vite-plugin-angular/src/lib/angular-vite-plugin.ts
@@ -116,9 +116,9 @@ export function angular(options?: PluginOptions): Plugin[] {
                 }) as any,
               ],
               define: {
-                ngDevMode: watchMode ? JSON.stringify({}) : 'false',
                 ngJitMode: 'false',
                 ngI18nClosureMode: 'false',
+                ...(watchMode ? {} : { ngDevMode: 'false' }),
               },
             },
           },