diff --git a/src/tools/compiletest/src/header.rs b/src/tools/compiletest/src/header.rs
index f78e0363f55..daa605f6d03 100644
--- a/src/tools/compiletest/src/header.rs
+++ b/src/tools/compiletest/src/header.rs
@@ -265,7 +265,10 @@ pub fn new() -> Self {
             aux_bins: vec![],
             aux_crates: vec![],
             revisions: vec![],
-            rustc_env: vec![("RUSTC_ICE".to_string(), "0".to_string())],
+            rustc_env: vec![
+                ("RUSTC_ICE".to_string(), "0".to_string()),
+                ("RUST_BACKTRACE".to_string(), "short".to_string()),
+            ],
             unset_rustc_env: vec![("RUSTC_LOG_COLOR".to_string())],
             exec_env: vec![],
             unset_exec_env: vec![],