diff --git a/NEWS.md b/NEWS.md
index 301686c57..16753cc80 100644
--- a/NEWS.md
+++ b/NEWS.md
@@ -35,6 +35,9 @@
   
 - New `as.character()` method for `python.builtin.str` with support for handling
   embedded NULs in strings. (#1653)
+  
+- Reticulate will now use the `RETICULATE_VIRTUALENV_ROOT` environment variable 
+  when determining where to resolve virtual environments. (#1657)
 
 # reticulate 1.38.0
 
diff --git a/R/virtualenv.R b/R/virtualenv.R
index f50065f2a..fca56b89c 100644
--- a/R/virtualenv.R
+++ b/R/virtualenv.R
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 #'
 #' Virtual environments are by default located at `~/.virtualenvs` (accessed
 #' with the `virtualenv_root()` function). You can change the default location
-#' by defining the `WORKON_HOME` environment variable.
+#' by defining the `RETICULATE_VIRTUALENV_ROOT` or `WORKON_HOME` environment variables.
 #'
 #' Virtual environments are created from another "starter" or "seed" Python
 #' already installed on the system. Suitable Pythons installed on the system are
@@ -333,6 +333,10 @@ virtualenv_list <- function() {
 #' @rdname virtualenv-tools
 #' @export
 virtualenv_root <- function() {
+  root <- Sys.getenv("RETICULATE_VIRTUALENV_ROOT", NA_character_)
+  if (!is.na(root))
+    return(root)
+
   Sys.getenv("WORKON_HOME", unset = "~/.virtualenvs")
 }
 
diff --git a/man/virtualenv-tools.Rd b/man/virtualenv-tools.Rd
index c1fede5be..2f8eac209 100644
--- a/man/virtualenv-tools.Rd
+++ b/man/virtualenv-tools.Rd
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ R functions for managing Python \href{https://virtualenv.pypa.io/en/stable/}{vir
 \details{
 Virtual environments are by default located at \verb{~/.virtualenvs} (accessed
 with the \code{virtualenv_root()} function). You can change the default location
-by defining the \code{WORKON_HOME} environment variable.
+by defining the \code{RETICULATE_VIRTUALENV_ROOT} or \code{WORKON_HOME} environment variables.
 
 Virtual environments are created from another "starter" or "seed" Python
 already installed on the system. Suitable Pythons installed on the system are