diff --git a/lib/pheonix.js b/lib/pheonix.js
index 876c56a..4c0ea74 100644
--- a/lib/pheonix.js
+++ b/lib/pheonix.js
@@ -20,12 +20,8 @@ module.exports = herit({
       return;
     }
 
-    var child = this.child = child_process.exec(this.command, {
-      env: {
-        EVENT: event,
-        FILE: path
-      }
-    });
+    var env = _.defaults({}, process.env, {EVENT: event, FILE: path});
+    var child = this.child = child_process.exec(this.command, {env: env});
     this.state = 'alive';
     this.log.info(this.command, 'Spawning...');
     child.on('error', _.bind(this.onError, this));