diff --git a/pipenv/environments.py b/pipenv/environments.py
index ceadeb89..2462be7f 100644
--- a/pipenv/environments.py
+++ b/pipenv/environments.py
@@ -36,5 +36,7 @@ if PIPENV_VENV_IN_PROJECT:
 if os.name == 'nt':
     PIPENV_NOSPIN = True
 
+_pipenv_timout_raw = os.environ.get('PIPENV_TIMEOUT')
+
 # Tells pipenv how long to wait for virtualenvs to be created in seconds
-PIPENV_TIMEOUT = int(os.environ.get('PIPENV_TIMEOUT')) or 120
+PIPENV_TIMEOUT = int(_pipenv_timout_raw) if _pipenv_timout_raw is not None else 120