diff --git a/packages/next-utils/package.json b/packages/next-utils/package.json
index 6e7eed4..16bcbc3 100644
--- a/packages/next-utils/package.json
+++ b/packages/next-utils/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@mintel/next-utils",
-  "version": "1.7.0",
+  "version": "1.7.1",
   "publishConfig": {
     "access": "public",
     "registry": "https://npm.infra.mintel.me"
diff --git a/packages/next-utils/src/env.ts b/packages/next-utils/src/env.ts
index f0de342..0836076 100644
--- a/packages/next-utils/src/env.ts
+++ b/packages/next-utils/src/env.ts
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ export const mintelEnvSchema = {
   INTERNAL_DIRECTUS_URL: z.string().url().optional(),
 };
 
-export function validateMintelEnv(schemaExtension = {}) {
+export function validateMintelEnv<T extends z.ZodRawShape>(schemaExtension: T) {
   const fullSchema = z.object({
     ...mintelEnvSchema,
     ...schemaExtension,
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ export function validateMintelEnv(schemaExtension = {}) {
       console.warn(
         "⚠️ Some environment variables are missing during build, but skipping strict validation.",
       );
-      // Return partial data to allow build to continue
+      // Return process.env casted to ensure types match, even if data is missing during build
       return process.env as unknown as z.infer<typeof fullSchema>;
     }