diff --git a/autoload/ale/python.vim b/autoload/ale/python.vim
index 4f14697..d788b77 100644
--- a/autoload/ale/python.vim
+++ b/autoload/ale/python.vim
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ function! ale#python#FindVirtualenv(buffer) abort
         endfor
     endfor
 
-    return ''
+    return $VIRTUAL_ENV
 endfunction
 
 " Run an executable check for Python scripts.
diff --git a/test/test_python_virtualenv.vader b/test/test_python_virtualenv.vader
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b44c5fa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/test_python_virtualenv.vader
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+Before:
+  Save $VIRTUAL_ENV
+  let $VIRTUAL_ENV = "/opt/example/"
+
+After:
+  Restore
+
+Execute(ale#python#FindVirtualenv falls back to $VIRTUAL_ENV when no directories match):
+  AssertEqual
+  \  ale#python#FindVirtualenv(bufnr('%')),
+  \  '/opt/example/',
+  \  'Expected VIRTUAL_ENV environment variable to be used, but it was not'