diff --git a/.devcontainer/rapids.Dockerfile b/.devcontainer/rapids.Dockerfile
index 74cfe238..0a85aef3 100644
--- a/.devcontainer/rapids.Dockerfile
+++ b/.devcontainer/rapids.Dockerfile
@@ -28,6 +28,8 @@ RUN apt update -y \
 
 ENV DEFAULT_VIRTUAL_ENV=rapids
 
+ENV RAPIDS_LIBUCX_PREFER_SYSTEM_LIBRARY=true
+
 FROM ${BASE} as conda-base
 
 ENV DEFAULT_CONDA_ENV=rapids