diff --git a/conftest.py b/conftest.py
index c517ec2d3..11ec1aa8c 100644
--- a/conftest.py
+++ b/conftest.py
@@ -14,6 +14,10 @@
 def dials_regression_path():
     """Return the absolute path to the dials_regression module as a string.
     This function is used directly by tests/test_regression_images.py"""
+
+    if "DIALS_REGRESSION" in os.environ:
+        return os.environ["DIALS_REGRESSION"]
+
     try:
         import dials_regression as dr
 
diff --git a/newsfragments/350.misc b/newsfragments/350.misc
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8fa660111
--- /dev/null
+++ b/newsfragments/350.misc
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Optionally find ``dials_regression`` from the environment variable ``DIALS_REGRESSION``