diff --git a/src/humanize/i18n.py b/src/humanize/i18n.py
index 42447b0..e5c9e52 100644
--- a/src/humanize/i18n.py
+++ b/src/humanize/i18n.py
@@ -71,6 +71,9 @@ def activate(
     Raises:
         Exception: If humanize cannot find the locale folder.
     """
+    if locale == "en_GB" or locale == "en_US":
+        locale = None
+    
     if path is None:
         path = _get_default_locale_path()