--- xdg/Menu.py
+++ xdg/Menu.py
@@ -500,6 +500,9 @@
 
     # use default if no filename given
     if not filename:
+        filename = __getFileName(os.environ.get("XDG_MENU_PREFIX", "") + "applications.menu")
+
+    if not filename:
         filename = __getFileName("applications.menu")
 
     if not filename: