diff --git a/tools/ddms/libs/ddmuilib/src/com/android/ddmuilib/Addr2Line.java b/tools/ddms/libs/ddmuilib/src/com/android/ddmuilib/Addr2Line.java
index a2f12d51c..47e093333 100644
--- a/tools/ddms/libs/ddmuilib/src/com/android/ddmuilib/Addr2Line.java
+++ b/tools/ddms/libs/ddmuilib/src/com/android/ddmuilib/Addr2Line.java
@@ -133,7 +133,10 @@ public class Addr2Line {
         // to synchronize this code.
 
         // get the output directory.
-        String symbols = DdmUiPreferences.getSymbolDirectory();
+        String symbols = System.getenv("ANDROID_SYMBOLS");
+        if (symbols == null) {
+            symbols = DdmUiPreferences.getSymbolDirectory();
+        }
 
         // build the command line
         String[] command = new String[5];