diff --git a/rel/env.sh.eex b/rel/env.sh.eex
index a4ce25295..e1b87102d 100644
--- a/rel/env.sh.eex
+++ b/rel/env.sh.eex
@@ -8,5 +8,5 @@
 # fi
 
 # Set the release to work across nodes
-export RELEASE_DISTRIBUTION=name
-export RELEASE_NODE=<%= @release.name %>@127.0.0.1
+export RELEASE_DISTRIBUTION="${RELEASE_DISTRIBUTION:-name}"
+export RELEASE_NODE="${RELEASE_NODE:-<%= @release.name %>@127.0.0.1}"