diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 3320980..6429287 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -36,11 +36,10 @@
 Environment configuration
 -------------------------
 
- * `__HEI_READ_ONLY`: When defined, it will ensure any hardware write support
-   is disabled. Note that the Chip Data Files will contain rules for clearing
-   and masking register bits. Both of which will require modifying hardware
-   registers, which is not allowed by user applications like OpenBMC or FSP
-   firmware.
+ * `__HEI_ENABLE_HW_WRITE`: When defined, it will allow hardware write support.
+   Note that the Chip Data Files will contain rules for clearing and masking
+   register bits. Both of which will require modifying hardware registers,
+   which is not allowed by user applications like OpenBMC or FSP firmware.
 
 Development Notes
 -----------------
diff --git a/src/chip_data/CHIP_DATA.md b/src/chip_data/CHIP_DATA.md
index 0d89540..c7ad234 100644
--- a/src/chip_data/CHIP_DATA.md
+++ b/src/chip_data/CHIP_DATA.md
@@ -7,8 +7,8 @@
  * A definition of how errors propagate from register to register.
  * A list of top level registers to use as a starting point for isolation.
  * A list of additional registers to capture for each register bit (for debug).
- * Rules defining how to clear and mask register bits (not available if
-   `__HEI_READ_ONLY` is defined).
+ * Rules defining how to clear and mask register bits (only applicable if
+   `__HEI_ENABLE_HW_WRITE` is defined).
 
 File extensions are not required, but it is recommended to use the
 extension `.cdb` (chip data binary).
diff --git a/src/hei_user_interface.hpp b/src/hei_user_interface.hpp
index 17bccb1..09cbcfb 100644
--- a/src/hei_user_interface.hpp
+++ b/src/hei_user_interface.hpp
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@
 bool registerRead(const Chip& i_chip, void* o_buffer, size_t& io_bufSize,
                   uint64_t i_regType, uint64_t i_address);
 
-#ifndef __HEI_READ_ONLY
+#ifdef __HEI_ENABLE_HW_WRITE
 
 /**
  * @brief Performs a hardware register write operation.
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@
 bool registerWrite(const Chip& i_chip, void* i_buffer, size_t& io_bufSize,
                    uint64_t i_regType, uint64_t i_address);
 
-#endif
+#endif // __HEI_ENABLE_HW_WRITE
 
 /**
  * @brief Prints an informational trace/log.
diff --git a/src/register/hei_hardware_register.cpp b/src/register/hei_hardware_register.cpp
index 213991d..0f994c0 100644
--- a/src/register/hei_hardware_register.cpp
+++ b/src/register/hei_hardware_register.cpp
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@
 
 //------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-#ifndef __HEI_READ_ONLY
+#ifdef __HEI_ENABLE_HW_WRITE
 
 bool HardwareRegister::write(const Chip& i_chip) const
 {
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@
     return accessFailure;
 }
 
-#endif // __HEI_READ_ONLY
+#endif // __HEI_ENABLE_HW_WRITE
 
 //------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
diff --git a/src/register/hei_hardware_register.hpp b/src/register/hei_hardware_register.hpp
index 2a4dcfe..40e0f82 100644
--- a/src/register/hei_hardware_register.hpp
+++ b/src/register/hei_hardware_register.hpp
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@
      */
     bool read(const Chip& i_chip, bool i_force = false) const;
 
-#ifndef __HEI_READ_ONLY
+#ifdef __HEI_ENABLE_HW_WRITE
 
     /**
      * @brief  Writes the value stored in the register cache to hardware via the
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@
      */
     bool write(const Chip& i_chip) const;
 
-#endif // __HEI_READ_ONLY
+#endif // __HEI_ENABLE_HW_WRITE
 
   protected:
     /**
diff --git a/test/simulator/sim_hardware_access.cpp b/test/simulator/sim_hardware_access.cpp
index 25cc8bd..e8c45ad 100644
--- a/test/simulator/sim_hardware_access.cpp
+++ b/test/simulator/sim_hardware_access.cpp
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@
 
 //------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-#ifndef __HEI_READ_ONLY
+#ifdef __HEI_ENABLE_HW_WRITE
 
 bool registerWrite(const Chip& i_chip, void* i_buffer, size_t& io_bufSize,
                    uint64_t i_regType, uint64_t i_address)
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@
     return accessFailure;
 }
 
-#endif
+#endif // __HEI_ENABLE_HW_WRITE
 
 //------------------------------------------------------------------------------