diff --git a/bin/runtest b/bin/runtest
index a8ae9fe5b2..d74667649b 100755
--- a/bin/runtest
+++ b/bin/runtest
@@ -324,6 +324,25 @@ RUNSNAPTEST()
 		export $1
 		shift; shift; shift
 		;;
+	    setenvN)
+		# set environment variable with $1 values
+		# e.g., setenvN 3 x a b c is same as setenv x="a b c".
+		# a kludge now--the extra single quotes are needed
+		# else eval complains.
+		shift
+		envN=$1
+		shift
+		envname=$1
+		envalue=
+		while test $envN -gt 0; do
+		    shift
+		    envalue="$envalue $1"
+		    envN=`expr $envN - 1`
+		done
+		eval $envname="'$envalue'"
+		export $envname
+		export
+		;;
 	    skip)
 		# skip this test
 		skiptest=yes