diff --git a/build.gradle b/build.gradle
index 9c83e045db..5b3c955df4 100644
--- a/build.gradle
+++ b/build.gradle
@@ -51,6 +51,11 @@ allprojects {
         releaseVersion = 'r2.3.1'
         releaseWebsite = 'https://github.com/google/ExoPlayer'
     }
+    if (it.hasProperty('externalBuildDir')) {
+        if (!new File(externalBuildDir).isAbsolute())
+            externalBuildDir = new File(rootDir, externalBuildDir)
+        buildDir = "${externalBuildDir}/${project.name}"
+    }
 }
 
 def getBintrayRepo() {