diff --git a/docker/r/Dockerfile b/docker/r/Dockerfile
index 2377ccf1..b0948f7f 100644
--- a/docker/r/Dockerfile
+++ b/docker/r/Dockerfile
@@ -35,7 +35,8 @@ RUN echo "PATH=${PATH}" >> /usr/local/lib/R/etc/Renviron.site && \
 ENV LD_LIBRARY_PATH /usr/local/lib/R/lib
 
 # pin the version of RStudio
-ARG RSTUDIO_VERSION="2021.09.2-382"
+ARG RSTUDIO_VERSION
+ENV RSTUDIO_VERSION=${RSTUDIO_VERSION:-2021.09.2-382}
 RUN /rocker_scripts/install_rstudio.sh $RSTUDIO_VERSION
 
 # Add Tini