diff --git a/tox.ini b/tox.ini
index 4b6bfe985..95c3afa5b 100644
--- a/tox.ini
+++ b/tox.ini
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ extras = test
 changedir = {toxinidir}/tests
 setenv =
   HOME=/tmp
-  ELASTIC_HOST=localhost
+  ELASTIC_HOST={env:ELASTIC_HOST:localhost}
 commands =
   pip install https://github.com/rogerbinns/apsw/releases/download/3.30.1-r1/apsw-3.30.1-r1.zip \
 		--global-option=fetch \