diff --git a/qt/aqt/profiles.py b/qt/aqt/profiles.py
index 469908c1b2..34612d6e08 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/profiles.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/profiles.py
@@ -310,7 +310,9 @@ def profileFolder(self, create: bool = True) -> str:
         return path
 
     def addonFolder(self) -> str:
-        return self._ensureExists(os.path.join(self.base, "addons21"))
+        path = Path(os.environ.get("ANKI_ADDONS") or Path(self.base) / "addons21")
+        path.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+        return str(path.resolve())
 
     def backupFolder(self) -> str:
         return self._ensureExists(os.path.join(self.profileFolder(), "backups"))