diff --git a/code/utils.py b/code/utils.py
index aa13286..34bd9b7 100644
--- a/code/utils.py
+++ b/code/utils.py
@@ -2,11 +2,14 @@ from pydantic import AnyHttpUrl
 from pathlib import Path
 from git import Repo
 import shutil
+import os
 
 def clone_repository(repo_url: AnyHttpUrl) -> Path:
     # extract repo name
     repo_name = repo_url.split('/')[-1].replace('.git', '')
-    dst_dir = Path(__file__).parent / repo_name
+    repo_dir = os.getenv('REPO_DIR', default=None)
+    assert repo_dir is not None
+    dst_dir = Path(repo_dir) / repo_name
     # prepare repo download dir
     if dst_dir.exists():
         shutil.rmtree(dst_dir)