diff --git a/example-app/build.gradle b/example-app/build.gradle
index bcb9b6e49d..2538be2a78 100644
--- a/example-app/build.gradle
+++ b/example-app/build.gradle
@@ -18,6 +18,9 @@ apply from: "${rootDir}/config/gradle/ci.gradle"
 
 if (file("local.gradle").exists()) {
     apply from: "local.gradle"
+} else if (System.getenv('CI')) {
+    // if building from CI use example file as it is to ensure the build passes
+    apply from: "example.local.gradle"
 } else {
     throw new GradleException("File example-app/local.gradle not found. Check example-app/README.md for more instructions.")
 }