diff --git a/apps/generator-cli/src/README.md b/apps/generator-cli/src/README.md
index 5c0d3f9cf..a430f70c4 100644
--- a/apps/generator-cli/src/README.md
+++ b/apps/generator-cli/src/README.md
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ Further it is also possible to configure generators, for example:
   "spaces": 2,
   "generator-cli": {
     "version": "4.3.1",
-    "storageDir": "~/my/custom/storage/dir", // optional
+    "storageDir": "~/my/custom/storage/dir", // optional, where the JAR file will be located/downloaded
     "generators": { // optional
       "v2.0": { // any name you like (just printed to the console log or reference it using --generator-key) 
         "generatorName": "typescript-angular",
@@ -176,6 +176,12 @@ is automatically used to generate your code. 🎉
 | relPath      | file name and extension of file relative to the glob provided | docs/auth.yaml                                        |
 | ext          | just file extension                                           | yaml                                                  |
 
+### Environment variables
+
+The following environment variables can be provided to override the config file:
+
+- `OPENAPI_GENERATOR_STORAGE_DIR`: Overrides the storageDir property.
+
 ### Using custom / private maven registry 
 
 If you're using a private maven registry you can configure the `downloadUrl` and `queryUrl` like this:
diff --git a/apps/generator-cli/src/app/services/version-manager.service.ts b/apps/generator-cli/src/app/services/version-manager.service.ts
index 53300c0aa..8a955fcfb 100644
--- a/apps/generator-cli/src/app/services/version-manager.service.ts
+++ b/apps/generator-cli/src/app/services/version-manager.service.ts
@@ -31,21 +31,21 @@ const mvn = {
 
 @Injectable()
 export class VersionManagerService {
-  private customStorageDir = this.configService.get<string>(
-    'generator-cli.storageDir'
-  );
+  private customStorageDir =
+    process.env.OPENAPI_GENERATOR_STORAGE_DIR ||
+    this.configService.get<string>('generator-cli.storageDir');
 
   public readonly storage = this.customStorageDir
     ? path.resolve(
         this.configService.cwd,
-        this.customStorageDir.replace('~', os.homedir())
+        this.customStorageDir.replace('~', os.homedir()),
       )
     : path.resolve(__dirname, './versions');
 
   constructor(
     @Inject(LOGGER) private readonly logger: LOGGER,
     private httpService: HttpService,
-    private configService: ConfigService
+    private configService: ConfigService,
   ) {}
 
   getAll(): Observable<Version[]> {