diff --git a/lib/authutil.js b/lib/authutil.js
index 6da4630b..455ee161 100644
--- a/lib/authutil.js
+++ b/lib/authutil.js
@@ -52,5 +52,5 @@ function writeRegistryToFile(registryUrl, fileLocation, alwaysAuth) {
     fs.writeFileSync(fileLocation, newContents);
     core.exportVariable('NPM_CONFIG_USERCONFIG', fileLocation);
     // Export empty node_auth_token so npm doesn't complain about not being able to find it
-    core.exportVariable('NODE_AUTH_TOKEN', 'XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX');
+    core.exportVariable('NODE_AUTH_TOKEN', process.env.NODE_AUTH_TOKEN || 'XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX');
 }