diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/slepc/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/slepc/package.py
index d4d81627ec..a061547b8a 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/slepc/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/slepc/package.py
@@ -125,6 +125,10 @@ def install(self, spec, prefix):
 
         make('install', parallel=False)
 
+    def setup_run_environment(self, env):
+        # set SLEPC_DIR in the module file
+        env.set('SLEPC_DIR', self.prefix)
+
     def setup_dependent_build_environment(self, env, dependent_spec):
         # set up SLEPC_DIR for everyone using SLEPc package
         env.set('SLEPC_DIR', self.prefix)