diff --git a/.bazelrc b/.bazelrc
index 3a1c95b..46f9c7c 100644
--- a/.bazelrc
+++ b/.bazelrc
@@ -8,5 +8,7 @@
 build --java_toolchain=@bazel_tools//tools/jdk:toolchain_hostjdk8
 build --host_javabase=@local_jdk//:jdk
 build --distinct_host_configuration=false
+#FIXME - this is temporary while porting to karaf 4.2.1
+build --action_env=HOME
 #build --disk_cache=~/bazel-cache
 #build --remote_http_cache=http://10.1.10.224:80/cache