diff --git a/dacapo/options.py b/dacapo/options.py
index 589d3d7cd..fb40b94b2 100644
--- a/dacapo/options.py
+++ b/dacapo/options.py
@@ -146,6 +146,7 @@ def config_file(cls) -> Optional[Path]:
         ]
         for path in options_files:
             if path.exists():
+                os.environ["OPTIONS_FILE"] = str(path)
                 return path
         return None