diff --git a/protobuf.bzl b/protobuf.bzl
index 73c396d556..9cb17f019c 100644
--- a/protobuf.bzl
+++ b/protobuf.bzl
@@ -108,6 +108,7 @@ def _proto_gen_impl(ctx):
         arguments=args + import_flags + [s.path for s in srcs],
         executable=ctx.executable.protoc,
         mnemonic="ProtoCompile",
+        use_default_shell_env=True,
     )
 
   return struct(