diff --git a/examples/tools/scene_viewer.rs b/examples/tools/scene_viewer.rs
index 2ae16a2502..a66256b80b 100644
--- a/examples/tools/scene_viewer.rs
+++ b/examples/tools/scene_viewer.rs
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ Controls:
             brightness: 1.0 / 5.0f32,
         })
         .insert_resource(AssetServerSettings {
-            asset_folder: std::env::var("CARGO_MANIFEST_DIR").unwrap(),
+            asset_folder: std::env::var("CARGO_MANIFEST_DIR").unwrap_or_else(|_| ".".to_string()),
             watch_for_changes: true,
         })
         .insert_resource(WindowDescriptor {