diff --git a/tests/run_test.sh b/tests/run_test.sh
index be300f5755..18099c80e4 100755
--- a/tests/run_test.sh
+++ b/tests/run_test.sh
@@ -380,7 +380,7 @@ export OMP_ENV=${OMP_ENV:-""}
 if [[ ${SCHEDULER} = 'none' ]]; then
   ulimit -s unlimited
   if [[ ${CI_TEST} = 'true' ]]; then
-    ( eval "${OMP_ENV}" ;
+    ( eval "${OMP_ENV:+export $OMP_ENV}" ;
       redirect_out_err mpiexec -n "${TASKS}" ./fv3.exe )
   else
     redirect_out_err mpiexec -n "${TASKS}" ./fv3.exe