diff --git a/kotlin-native/build-tools/src/main/kotlin/org/jetbrains/kotlin/PropertiesProvider.kt b/kotlin-native/build-tools/src/main/kotlin/org/jetbrains/kotlin/PropertiesProvider.kt
index 8dfc98583c9..aaffa12c23e 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/build-tools/src/main/kotlin/org/jetbrains/kotlin/PropertiesProvider.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/build-tools/src/main/kotlin/org/jetbrains/kotlin/PropertiesProvider.kt
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import java.util.*
 class PropertiesProvider(val project: Project) {
     private val localProperties by lazy {
         Properties().apply {
-            project.file("local.properties").takeIf { it.isFile }?.inputStream()?.use {
+            project.rootProject.file("local.properties").takeIf { it.isFile }?.inputStream()?.use {
                 load(it)
             }
         }