diff --git a/chassis/chassis.py b/chassis/chassis.py
index c80155d..afdeae8 100644
--- a/chassis/chassis.py
+++ b/chassis/chassis.py
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
+import os
 import logging
 from logstash_formatter import LogstashFormatterV1
 from statsd import StatsClient
 from nameko_sentry import SentryReporter
+from dotenv import load_dotenv
 
 
 def init_statsd(prefix=None, host=None, port=8125):
@@ -19,4 +21,8 @@ def init_logger():
 
 
 def init_sentry():
-    return SentryReporter()
\ No newline at end of file
+    return SentryReporter()
+
+
+def init_dotenv(env_file='.nameko.env'):
+    load_dotenv(os.path.join(os.getcwd(), env_file))
\ No newline at end of file