diff --git a/lib/python/qmk/userspace.py b/lib/python/qmk/userspace.py
index 37835680069..103f11b99ab 100644
--- a/lib/python/qmk/userspace.py
+++ b/lib/python/qmk/userspace.py
@@ -15,15 +15,16 @@ def qmk_userspace_paths():
     test_dirs = []
 
     # If we're already in a directory with a qmk.json and a keyboards or layouts directory, interpret it as userspace
-    current_dir = Path(environ['ORIG_CWD'])
-    while len(current_dir.parts) > 1:
-        if (current_dir / 'qmk.json').is_file():
-            test_dirs.append(current_dir)
-        current_dir = current_dir.parent
+    if environ.get('ORIG_CWD') is not None:
+        current_dir = Path(environ['ORIG_CWD'])
+        while len(current_dir.parts) > 1:
+            if (current_dir / 'qmk.json').is_file():
+                test_dirs.append(current_dir)
+            current_dir = current_dir.parent
 
     # If we have a QMK_USERSPACE environment variable, use that
     if environ.get('QMK_USERSPACE') is not None:
-        current_dir = Path(environ.get('QMK_USERSPACE'))
+        current_dir = Path(environ['QMK_USERSPACE'])
         if current_dir.is_dir():
             test_dirs.append(current_dir)