diff --git a/config/database.yml b/config/database.yml
index ff68ec1a859..c1575122620 100644
--- a/config/database.yml
+++ b/config/database.yml
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 development:
   prepared_statements: false
   adapter: postgresql
-  database: discourse_development
+  database: <%= ENV['DISCOURSE_DEV_DB'] || 'discourse_development' %>
   min_messages: warning
   pool: 5
   timeout: 5000