diff --git a/src/LegendTestData.jl b/src/LegendTestData.jl
index b955b24..bdad7b6 100644
--- a/src/LegendTestData.jl
+++ b/src/LegendTestData.jl
@@ -26,4 +26,16 @@ legend_test_data_path() = joinpath(artifact"legend_testdata", "legend-exp-legend
 export legend_test_data_path
 
 
+"""
+    activate_legend_test_data_config()
+
+Set environment variable `"LEGEND_DATA_CONFIG"` to the LEGEND test data
+configuration
+"""
+function activate_legend_test_data_config()
+    testdata_dir = joinpath(legend_test_data_path(), "data", "legend")
+    ENV["LEGEND_DATA_CONFIG"] = joinpath(testdata_dir, "config.json")
+end
+export activate_legend_test_data_config
+
 end # module
diff --git a/test/runtests.jl b/test/runtests.jl
index 5540c3e..b70358c 100644
--- a/test/runtests.jl
+++ b/test/runtests.jl
@@ -31,4 +31,9 @@ using Test
         @test crystal_metadata.impurity_measurements.distance_from_seed_end_mm == [0, 14, 30, 50, 80]
     end
 
+    @testset "Test data config" begin
+        ENV["LEGEND_DATA_CONFIG"] = ""
+        activate_legend_test_data_config()
+        @test isfile(ENV["LEGEND_DATA_CONFIG"])
+    end
 end # testset