diff --git a/plugins/other/unicorn_status b/plugins/other/unicorn_status
index 5c99e0a5..d497d3df 100755
--- a/plugins/other/unicorn_status
+++ b/plugins/other/unicorn_status
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ when "config"
   puts "total_worker.label total_workers"
   puts "idle_worker.label idle_workers"
 else
-  m = Munin::UnicornStatus.new(RAILS_ROOT)
+  m = Munin::UnicornStatus.new(ENV['rails_root'] || RAILS_ROOT)
   puts "total_worker.value #{m.worker_count}"
   puts "idle_worker.value #{m.idle_worker_count}"
 end