diff --git a/spring-geode-project/spring-geode/spring-geode.gradle b/spring-geode-project/spring-geode/spring-geode.gradle
index 58d7ce3b..049058a3 100644
--- a/spring-geode-project/spring-geode/spring-geode.gradle
+++ b/spring-geode-project/spring-geode/spring-geode.gradle
@@ -39,5 +39,5 @@ dependencies {
 }
 
 test {
-	systemProperties['jenkins'] = "$jenkins"
+	systemProperties['jenkins'] = System.getProperty('jenkins', 'false')
 }