diff --git a/fake_travis_build.sh b/fake_travis_build.sh
index a6db4d462d..4287b38460 100755
--- a/fake_travis_build.sh
+++ b/fake_travis_build.sh
@@ -8,8 +8,8 @@ targets=("PUBLISHMETA=True" "RUNTESTS=True" \
 
 #fake a travis build environment
 export TRAVIS_BUILD_NUMBER=$(date +%s)
-export BUILDNAME=fake_travis
-export TRAVIS_REPO_SLUG=$USER/simulated
+export BUILDNAME=${BUILDNAME:=fake_travis}
+export TRAVIS_REPO_SLUG=${TRAVIS_REPO_SLUG:=$USER/simulated}
 
 for target in "${targets[@]}"
 do