diff --git a/src/components/ReferralBlock/ReferralBlock.svelte b/src/components/ReferralBlock/ReferralBlock.svelte
index bdf825c7..a3c959ed 100644
--- a/src/components/ReferralBlock/ReferralBlock.svelte
+++ b/src/components/ReferralBlock/ReferralBlock.svelte
@@ -67,6 +67,9 @@
   let referrals: Article[] = $state([]);
 
   const getReferrals = async () => {
+    if (typeof window === 'undefined') return;
+    // fetch only reliably works on prod sites
+    if (window?.location?.hostname !== 'www.reuters.com') return;
     const isCollection = Boolean(collection);
     const API = isCollection ? COLLECTION_API : SECTION_API;
     try {