diff --git a/eng/common/tools.ps1 b/eng/common/tools.ps1
index 22b49e09d09..9b3ad8840fd 100644
--- a/eng/common/tools.ps1
+++ b/eng/common/tools.ps1
@@ -416,7 +416,7 @@ function InitializeVisualStudioMSBuild([bool]$install, [object]$vsRequirements =
 
   # Locate Visual Studio installation or download x-copy msbuild.
   $vsInfo = LocateVisualStudio $vsRequirements
-  if ($vsInfo -ne $null) {
+  if ($vsInfo -ne $null -and $env:ForceUseXCopyMSBuild -eq $null) {
     # Ensure vsInstallDir has a trailing slash
     $vsInstallDir = Join-Path $vsInfo.installationPath "\"
     $vsMajorVersion = $vsInfo.installationVersion.Split('.')[0]