diff --git a/docker/rootless/usr/local/bin/gitea b/docker/rootless/usr/local/bin/gitea
index 5fdadfb3fe844..1b33ca8547974 100644
--- a/docker/rootless/usr/local/bin/gitea
+++ b/docker/rootless/usr/local/bin/gitea
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ for i in "$@"; do
 done
 
 if [ -z "$APP_INI_SET" ]; then
-	CONF_ARG="-c \"$APP_INI\""
+	CONF_ARG="-c \"${GITEA_APP_INI:-$APP_INI}\""
 fi