diff --git a/netcdf-sys/README.md b/netcdf-sys/README.md
index e03a127..f0a33e1 100644
--- a/netcdf-sys/README.md
+++ b/netcdf-sys/README.md
@@ -2,3 +2,7 @@
 
 Rust bindings to `netcdf-c` to locate and link the system libraries neccessary to use `netcdf`.
 This library can also build `hdf5` and `netcdf` from source, to allow a fully static linking experience. This is enabled with the `static` feature.
+
+## Detection of netCDF
+
+By default the crate uses the system installed `netCDF`. The environment variable `NETCDF_DIR` can be used to use a particular version of `netCDF`. This variable is ignored if compiling from sources.
diff --git a/netcdf-sys/build.rs b/netcdf-sys/build.rs
index f1010a6..e6843d2 100644
--- a/netcdf-sys/build.rs
+++ b/netcdf-sys/build.rs
@@ -14,7 +14,13 @@ fn main() {
         println!("cargo:rustc-link-lib=static={}", netcdf_lib);
         println!("cargo:rustc-link-search=native={}", netcdf_path);
     } else {
-        // Link to the system netcdf
-        println!("cargo:rustc-link-lib=netcdf");
+        println!("cargo:rerun-if-env-changed=NETCDF_DIR");
+        if let Ok(dir) = std::env::var("NETCDF_DIR") {
+            println!("cargo:rustc-link-search={}/lib", dir);
+            println!("cargo:rustc-link-lib=netcdf");
+        } else {
+            // Link to the system netcdf
+            println!("cargo:rustc-link-lib=netcdf");
+        }
     }
 }