diff --git a/compiler/build.gradle b/compiler/build.gradle
index 460e116..7e116d4 100644
--- a/compiler/build.gradle
+++ b/compiler/build.gradle
@@ -160,7 +160,11 @@
   }
   plugins {
     javalite {
-      artifact = "com.google.protobuf:protoc-gen-javalite:${protobufVersion}"
+      if (project.hasProperty('protoc-gen-javalite')) {
+        path = project['protoc-gen-javalite']
+      } else {
+        artifact = "com.google.protobuf:protoc-gen-javalite:${protobufVersion}"
+      }
     }
     grpc {
       path = javaPluginPath