diff --git a/scripts/install-whispergate-openclaw.sh b/scripts/install-whispergate-openclaw.sh
index aa33acd..fe7f6a4 100755
--- a/scripts/install-whispergate-openclaw.sh
+++ b/scripts/install-whispergate-openclaw.sh
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ run_install() {
   echo "[whispergate] backup: $BACKUP_PATH"
 
   # initialize standalone channel policies file if missing
-  CHANNEL_POLICIES_FILE_RESOLVED="$(python3 - <<'PY'
+  CHANNEL_POLICIES_FILE_RESOLVED="$(CHANNEL_POLICIES_FILE="$CHANNEL_POLICIES_FILE" python3 - <<'PY'
 import os
 print(os.path.expanduser(os.environ['CHANNEL_POLICIES_FILE']))
 PY