diff --git a/io/path.cpp b/io/path.cpp
index 533acc110..fe8a813f0 100644
--- a/io/path.cpp
+++ b/io/path.cpp
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@
 QString real_app_dir;
 
 QString get_effects_dir() {
+    QString env_path(qgetenv("OLIVE_EFFECTS_PATH"));
+    if (!env_path.isEmpty()) return env_path;
 	return get_app_dir() + "/effects";
 }