diff --git a/run_tempest.sh b/run_tempest.sh
index 5a9b742..0f32045 100755
--- a/run_tempest.sh
+++ b/run_tempest.sh
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 }
 
 testrargs=""
-venv=.venv
+venv=${VENV:-.venv}
 with_venv=tools/with_venv.sh
 serial=0
 always_venv=0