diff --git a/bin/junest b/bin/junest
index 18a3de8..c4706c2 100755
--- a/bin/junest
+++ b/bin/junest
@@ -22,6 +22,17 @@ JUNEST_BASE="$(dirname $0)/.."
 
 source "${JUNEST_BASE}/lib/core.sh"
 
+###################################
+### Prep environment            ###
+###################################
+
+# clear out environment variables that may affect builds done within
+# the Arch chroot; for example AUR builds with yaourt
+
+unset PKG_CONFIG_PATH LD_LIBRARY_PATH C_INCLUDE_PATH \
+      MODULEBUILDRC MODULEPATH MODULESHOME \
+      PERL_MM_OPT PERL5LIB
+
 ###################################
 ### General functions           ###
 ###################################