diff --git a/lib/ansible/config/base.yml b/lib/ansible/config/base.yml
index 0eabb4593c..cb60781b98 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/config/base.yml
+++ b/lib/ansible/config/base.yml
@@ -56,6 +56,15 @@ ANSIBLE_NOCOWS:
   - {key: nocows, section: defaults}
   type: boolean
   yaml: {key: display.i_am_no_fun}
+ANSIBLE_COWPATH:
+  name: Set path to cowsay command
+  default: null
+  description: Specify a custom cowsay path or swap in your cowsay implementation of choice
+  env: [{name: ANSIBLE_COWPATH}]
+  ini:
+  - {key: cowpath, section: defaults}
+  type: string
+  yaml: {key: display.cowpath}
 ANSIBLE_PIPELINING:
   name: Connection pipelining
   default: False
diff --git a/lib/ansible/utils/display.py b/lib/ansible/utils/display.py
index d40d8dc2db..593644ded4 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/utils/display.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/utils/display.py
@@ -98,7 +98,12 @@ class Display:
         self._set_column_width()
 
     def set_cowsay_info(self):
-        if not C.ANSIBLE_NOCOWS:
+        if C.ANSIBLE_NOCOWS:
+            return
+
+        if C.ANSIBLE_COWPATH:
+            self.b_cowsay = C.ANSIBLE_COWPATH
+        else:
             for b_cow_path in b_COW_PATHS:
                 if os.path.exists(b_cow_path):
                     self.b_cowsay = b_cow_path