diff --git a/pipenv/core.py b/pipenv/core.py
index a6372ad2..af4c9761 100644
--- a/pipenv/core.py
+++ b/pipenv/core.py
@@ -150,9 +150,8 @@ def load_dot_env():
     if not PIPENV_DONT_LOAD_ENV:
         # If the project doesn't exist yet, check current directory for a .env file
         project_directory = project.project_directory or "."
-        denv = dotenv.find_dotenv(
-            PIPENV_DOTENV_LOCATION or os.sep.join([project_directory, ".env"])
-        )
+        denv = PIPENV_DOTENV_LOCATION or os.sep.join([project_directory, ".env"])
+
         if os.path.isfile(denv):
             click.echo(
                 crayons.normal("Loading .env environment variables…", bold=True),