diff --git a/dokku b/dokku
index fed0cdcba..a5b712511 100755
--- a/dokku
+++ b/dokku
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ if [[ -d $DOKKU_ROOT/.dokkurc ]]; then
   done
 fi
 [[ $DOKKU_TRACE ]] && set -x
+export DOKKU_ROOT_ON_HOST=${DOKKU_ROOT_ON_HOST:=$DOKKU_ROOT}
 
 export DOKKU_DISTRO
 # shellcheck disable=SC1091