diff --git a/cumm/common.py b/cumm/common.py
index a69d3a8..2e20b45 100644
--- a/cumm/common.py
+++ b/cumm/common.py
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ def _get_cuda_include_lib():
             except:
                 pass 
 
-            linux_cuda_root = Path("/usr/local/cuda")
+            linux_cuda_root = Path(os.getenv("CUDA_HOME", "/usr/local/cuda"))
             include = linux_cuda_root / f"include"
             lib64 = linux_cuda_root / f"lib64"
             assert linux_cuda_root.exists(), f"can't find cuda in {linux_cuda_root} install via cuda installer or conda first."
@@ -857,4 +857,4 @@ def device_function(self):
         code = pccm.code()
         code.arg("a, b", "float")
         code.raw("return a + b;")
-        return code.ret("float")
\ No newline at end of file
+        return code.ret("float")