diff --git a/tox.ini b/tox.ini
index 4e286b9a14..a81d40af08 100644
--- a/tox.ini
+++ b/tox.ini
@@ -13,6 +13,9 @@ setenv = VIRTUAL_ENV={envdir}
 commands = {toxinidir}/run_tests.sh --no-path-adjustment []
 sitepackages = True
 
+[testenv:livedb]
+setenv=CEILOMETER_TEST_LIVE=1
+
 [testenv:cover]
 commands = {toxinidir}/run_tests.sh --no-path-adjustment --with-coverage --cover-erase --cover-package=ceilometer --cover-inclusive []