diff --git a/docs/automatic-releases/index.rst b/docs/automatic-releases/index.rst
index b54eaa0ec..da3b417eb 100644
--- a/docs/automatic-releases/index.rst
+++ b/docs/automatic-releases/index.rst
@@ -75,8 +75,9 @@ Configuring distribution upload
 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
 In order to upload to an artifact repository, Python Semantic Release needs credentials to access
 the project. You will need to set the environment variables :ref:`env-repository_username` and
-:ref:`env-repository_password`. Use :ref:`config-repository_url` to set a custom repository url.
-As an alternative the repository and/or credentials can be configured using the ``~/.pypirc`` file.
+:ref:`env-repository_password`. Use :ref:`config-repository_url` or :ref:`env-repository_url` to
+set a custom repository url. As an alternative the repository and/or credentials can be configured
+using the ``~/.pypirc`` file.
 
 .. warning::
   Make sure to protect any environment variable containing secrets on your CI service.
diff --git a/docs/envvars.rst b/docs/envvars.rst
index 58505a833..37486a317 100644
--- a/docs/envvars.rst
+++ b/docs/envvars.rst
@@ -91,8 +91,8 @@ when pushing tags, publishing releases etc.
 
 .. _env-repository:
 
-Artifact Repository Authentication
-==================================
+Artifact Repository
+===================
 
 .. _env-pypi_token:
 
@@ -150,3 +150,12 @@ Also used for token when using token authentication.
     output. This can break things, for example repository links.
 
   - Find more information on `how to obtain a token <https://pypi.org/help/#apitoken>`_.
+
+.. _env-repository_url:
+
+``REPOSITORY_URL``
+------------------
+Custom repository (package index) URL to upload the package to.
+Takes precedence over :ref:`config-repository_url`
+
+See :ref:`automatic-dist-upload` for more about uploads to custom repositories.
diff --git a/semantic_release/defaults.cfg b/semantic_release/defaults.cfg
index 642c9776b..d49e5982c 100644
--- a/semantic_release/defaults.cfg
+++ b/semantic_release/defaults.cfg
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ pypi_token_var=PYPI_TOKEN
 pypi_user_var=PYPI_USERNAME
 repository_user_var=REPOSITORY_USERNAME
 repository_pass_var=REPOSITORY_PASSWORD
+repository_url_var=REPOSITORY_URL
 remove_dist=true
 tag_commit=true
 tag_format=v{version}
diff --git a/semantic_release/repository.py b/semantic_release/repository.py
index ead23173c..2e99fe2d1 100644
--- a/semantic_release/repository.py
+++ b/semantic_release/repository.py
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ def _handle_repository_config(self) -> None:
 
         Defaults to repository_name `pypi` when both are not set.
         """
-        repository_url = config.get("repository_url")
+        repository_url = get_env_var("repository_url_var") or config.get("repository_url")
         repository_name = config.get("repository")
 
         if repository_url:
diff --git a/tests/test_repository.py b/tests/test_repository.py
index 64b0ba40f..d48e080dd 100644
--- a/tests/test_repository.py
+++ b/tests/test_repository.py
@@ -155,6 +155,13 @@ def test_repo_with_custom_repo_url(mock_handle_creds):
     assert repo.repository_url == "https://custom-repo"
 
 
+@mock.patch.dict("os.environ", {"REPOSITORY_URL": "https://custom-repo"})
+@mock.patch.object(ArtifactRepo, "_handle_credentials_init")
+def test_repo_with_custom_repo_url_from_env(mock_handle_creds):
+    repo = ArtifactRepo(Path("dist"))
+    assert repo.repository_url == "https://custom-repo"
+
+
 @mock.patch("semantic_release.repository.twine_upload")
 @mock.patch(
     "semantic_release.repository.config.get",