diff --git a/bin/compose-core b/bin/compose-core
index 344dc71..9e58d77 100755
--- a/bin/compose-core
+++ b/bin/compose-core
@@ -4464,7 +4464,7 @@ else
     esac
 fi
 
-
+export COMPOSE_ACTION="$action"
 NO_CONSTRAINT_CHECK=True
 case "$action" in
     up)