diff --git a/common/deploy-steps-tasks.yaml b/common/deploy-steps-tasks.yaml
index 45f9852031..adcfba2dd7 100644
--- a/common/deploy-steps-tasks.yaml
+++ b/common/deploy-steps-tasks.yaml
@@ -317,6 +317,8 @@
     # the *step_n.json with a hash of the generated external config added
     # This acts as a salt to enable restarting the container if config changes
     - name: Start containers for step {{step}}
+      environment:
+        TRIPLEO_MINOR_UPDATE: '{{ tripleo_minor_update | default(false) }}'
       command: >-
         paunch --debug apply
         --file /var/lib/tripleo-config/hashed-docker-container-startup-config-step_{{step}}.json
diff --git a/common/deploy-steps.j2 b/common/deploy-steps.j2
index 7a1e2c04a5..37b077c5da 100644
--- a/common/deploy-steps.j2
+++ b/common/deploy-steps.j2
@@ -564,6 +564,8 @@ outputs:
           name: Run update
           serial: 1
           gather_facts: no
+          vars:
+            tripleo_minor_update: true
           tasks:
             - include: update_steps_tasks.yaml
               with_sequence: start=0 end={{update_steps_max-1}}
diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/minor-update-env-20657417094d4aeb.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/minor-update-env-20657417094d4aeb.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e144942f5e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/minor-update-env-20657417094d4aeb.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+---
+fixes:
+  - |
+    It is now possible for temporary containers inside THT to test if they are being run
+    as part of a minor update by checking if the TRIPLEO_MINOR_UPDATE environment
+    variable is set to 'true' (said containers need to export it to the container explicitely),
+    see <service>_restart_bundles for examples.