diff --git a/openhands/core/logger.py b/openhands/core/logger.py
index b10f8aee89..126ba33c02 100644
--- a/openhands/core/logger.py
+++ b/openhands/core/logger.py
@@ -42,7 +42,11 @@ else:
 if DEBUG:
     LOG_LEVEL = 'DEBUG'
 
-LOG_TO_FILE = os.getenv('LOG_TO_FILE', 'False').lower() in ['true', '1', 'yes']
+LOG_TO_FILE = os.getenv('LOG_TO_FILE', str(LOG_LEVEL == 'DEBUG')).lower() in [
+    'true',
+    '1',
+    'yes',
+]
 DISABLE_COLOR_PRINTING = False
 
 LOG_ALL_EVENTS = os.getenv('LOG_ALL_EVENTS', 'False').lower() in ['true', '1', 'yes']
@@ -362,7 +366,6 @@ if DEBUG:
     openhands_logger.addFilter(StackInfoFilter())
 
 if current_log_level == logging.DEBUG:
-    LOG_TO_FILE = True
     openhands_logger.debug('DEBUG mode enabled.')
 
 if LOG_JSON: