diff --git a/buildlightning.sh b/buildlightning.sh
index bffda3e..8c5d19f 100644
--- a/buildlightning.sh
+++ b/buildlightning.sh
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 #! /bin/bash
 set -eo pipefail
 
-source ./buildenv.sh
 REPOPATH=$PWD
 
 # download lightning
@@ -14,6 +13,9 @@ python3 -m virtualenv venv
 source venv/bin/activate
 pip install -r requirements.txt
 
+# load env vars
+cd .. && source ./buildenv.sh && cd lightning
+
 # provide generated config file instead run configure
 cp ${REPOPATH}/lightning-header_versions_gen.h header_versions_gen.h
 cp ${REPOPATH}/lightning-version_gen.h version_gen.h