diff --git a/qt/aqt/browser/browser.py b/qt/aqt/browser/browser.py
index e6ba9c0e0..598e62e7a 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/browser/browser.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/browser/browser.py
@@ -793,7 +793,7 @@ class Browser(QMainWindow):
     @no_arg_trigger
     @skip_if_selection_is_empty
     def _on_export_notes(self) -> None:
-        if os.getenv("ANKI_BACKEND_IMPORT_EXPORT"):
+        if KeyboardModifiersPressed().shift:
             nids = self.selected_notes()
             ExportDialog(self.mw, nids=nids)
         else:
diff --git a/qt/aqt/main.py b/qt/aqt/main.py
index 46ac981d2..afe6e46cf 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/main.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/main.py
@@ -1182,7 +1182,7 @@ title="{}" {}>{}</button>""".format(
     def onImport(self) -> None:
         import aqt.importing
 
-        if os.getenv("ANKI_BACKEND_IMPORT_EXPORT"):
+        if KeyboardModifiersPressed().shift:
             import_file(self)
         else:
             aqt.importing.onImport(self)
@@ -1190,7 +1190,7 @@ title="{}" {}>{}</button>""".format(
     def onExport(self, did: DeckId | None = None) -> None:
         import aqt.exporting
 
-        if os.getenv("ANKI_BACKEND_IMPORT_EXPORT"):
+        if KeyboardModifiersPressed().shift:
             ExportDialog(self, did=did)
         else:
             aqt.exporting.ExportDialog(self, did=did)