diff --git a/crates/uv/src/commands/tool/run.rs b/crates/uv/src/commands/tool/run.rs
index 64628e56a..248ac6af3 100644
--- a/crates/uv/src/commands/tool/run.rs
+++ b/crates/uv/src/commands/tool/run.rs
@@ -369,6 +369,13 @@ pub(crate) async fn run(
     .context("Failed to build new PATH variable")?;
     process.env(EnvVars::PATH, new_path);
 
+    // If we're not in a virtual environment already, set `VIRTUAL_ENV`.
+    // This is a little defense, e.g., we could always set `VIRTUAL_ENV` but it could break a tool
+    // that you're using to target your current virtual environment.
+    if std::env::var_os(EnvVars::VIRTUAL_ENV).is_none() {
+        process.env(EnvVars::VIRTUAL_ENV, environment.root());
+    }
+
     // Spawn and wait for completion
     // Standard input, output, and error streams are all inherited
     let space = if args.is_empty() { "" } else { " " };