diff --git a/bin/compose-core b/bin/compose-core
index 0a3ae8d..5eccac1 100755
--- a/bin/compose-core
+++ b/bin/compose-core
@@ -2725,7 +2725,7 @@ export -f run_service_relations
 
 
 _run_service_action_direct() {
-    local service="$1" action="$2" charm _dummy
+    local service="$1" action="$2" charm _dummy project_name
     shift; shift
 
     read-0 charm || true  ## against 'set -e' that could be setup in parent scripts
@@ -2735,6 +2735,9 @@ _run_service_action_direct() {
         return 1
     fi
 
+    project_name=$(get_default_project_name) || return 1
+    export PROJECT_NAME="$project_name"
+
     export state_tmpdir
     (
         set +e  ## Prevents unwanted leaks from parent shell