diff --git a/compiler/options.py b/compiler/options.py
index 4d3461e6..f3410f86 100644
--- a/compiler/options.py
+++ b/compiler/options.py
@@ -13,8 +13,12 @@ class options(optparse.Values):
     # This is the name of the technology.
     tech_name = ""
     # This is the temp directory where all intermediate results are stored.
-    openram_temp = "/tmp/openram_{0}_{1}_temp/".format(getpass.getuser(),os.getpid())
-    #openram_temp = "{0}/openram_temp/".format(os.getenv("HOME"))
+    try:
+        # If user defined the temporary location in their environment, use it
+        openram_temp = os.path.abspath(os.environ.get("OPENRAM_TMP"))
+    except:
+        # Else use a unique temporary directory
+        openram_temp = "/tmp/openram_{0}_{1}_temp/".format(getpass.getuser(),os.getpid())
     # This is the verbosity level to control debug information. 0 is none, 1
     # is minimal, etc.
     debug_level = 0