diff --git a/src/shared.py b/src/shared.py
index a53f7db4..6f06c3ac 100644
--- a/src/shared.py
+++ b/src/shared.py
@@ -131,7 +131,12 @@ def assembleVersionMessage(remoteHost, remotePort, myStreamNumber):
 
 def lookupAppdataFolder():
     APPNAME = "PyBitmessage"
-    if sys.platform == 'darwin':
+    from os import path, environ
+    if "BITMESSAGE_HOME" in environ:
+        dataFolder = environ["BITMESSAGE_HOME"]
+        if dataFolder[-1] not in [os.path.sep, os.path.altsep]:
+            dataFolder += os.path.sep
+    elif sys.platform == 'darwin':
         if "HOME" in environ:
             dataFolder = path.join(os.environ["HOME"], "Library/Application Support/", APPNAME) + '/'
         else: