diff --git a/lib/vagrant/environment.rb b/lib/vagrant/environment.rb
index 4d81a98e7..721985738 100644
--- a/lib/vagrant/environment.rb
+++ b/lib/vagrant/environment.rb
@@ -91,6 +91,7 @@ module Vagrant
     #
     # @return [Pathname]
     def dotfile_path
+      return nil if !root_path
       root_path.join(config.global.vagrant.dotfile_name)
     end