diff --git a/scripts/common_startup.sh b/scripts/common_startup.sh
index 25a3d59fe98..a045d4c6147 100755
--- a/scripts/common_startup.sh
+++ b/scripts/common_startup.sh
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ FETCH_WHEELS=1
 CREATE_VENV=1
 REPLACE_PIP=$SET_VENV
 COPY_SAMPLE_FILES=1
-SKIP_CLIENT_BUILD=0
+SKIP_CLIENT_BUILD=${GALAXY_SKIP_CLIENT_BUILD:-0}
 
 for arg in "$@"; do
     [ "$arg" = "--skip-eggs" ] && FETCH_WHEELS=0