diff --git a/tools/activate.py b/tools/activate.py
index 697b003029..a23ca1883e 100755
--- a/tools/activate.py
+++ b/tools/activate.py
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ if not os.path.exists(virtualenv_python):
     die(f'ESP-IDF Python virtual environment not found. Please run the install script to set it up before proceeding.')
 
 try:
-    run([virtualenv_python, os.path.join(idf_path, 'tools', 'export_utils', 'activate_venv.py')] + sys.argv[1:], check=True)
+    run([virtualenv_python, os.path.join(idf_path, 'tools', 'export_utils', 'activate_venv.py')] + sys.argv[1:], check=True, env=os.environ.copy())
 except (OSError, SubprocessError):
     die('\n'.join(['Activation script failed',
                    'To view detailed debug information, set ESP_IDF_EXPORT_DEBUG=1 and run the export script again.']))