diff --git a/modules/readme/Makefile b/modules/readme/Makefile
index e9f481a6..24d740e4 100644
--- a/modules/readme/Makefile
+++ b/modules/readme/Makefile
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ export README_TEMPLATE_REPO_URL := https://raw.githubusercontent.com/$(README_TE
 export README_TEMPLATE_REMOTE_FILE ?= $(BUILD_HARNESS_PATH)/templates/README.md.gotmpl
 export README_TEMPLATE_FILE ?= $(README_TEMPLATE_REMOTE_FILE)
 export README_TEMPLATE_YAML := $(BUILD_HARNESS_PATH)/templates/$(README_YAML)
+export README_INCLUDES ?= ./
 
 # Only allow allowlisted orgs to supply the README template
 export README_ALLOWLIST_ORGS := \