diff --git a/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/config/settings/common.py b/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/config/settings/common.py
index 1421867e6..18d5fa52c 100644
--- a/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/config/settings/common.py
+++ b/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/config/settings/common.py
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ ROOT_DIR = environ.Path(__file__) - 3  # ({{ cookiecutter.project_slug }}/config
 APPS_DIR = ROOT_DIR.path('{{ cookiecutter.project_slug }}')
 
 env = environ.Env()
+# Assumes .env exists one folder above where manage.py exists
+env.read_env(str((ROOT_DIR - 1).path('.env')))  # reads the environment file
 
 # Load operating system environment variables and then prepare to use them
 env = environ.Env()