diff --git a/python/ray/_private/ray_constants.py b/python/ray/_private/ray_constants.py
index 9e76e57e3088..b8b6f7b443a5 100644
--- a/python/ray/_private/ray_constants.py
+++ b/python/ray/_private/ray_constants.py
@@ -23,6 +23,21 @@ def env_integer(key, default):
     return default
 
 
+def env_float(key, default):
+    if key in os.environ:
+        value = os.environ[key]
+        try:
+            return float(value)
+        except ValueError:
+            logger.debug(
+                f"Found {key} in environment, but value must "
+                f"be a float. Got: {value}. Returning "
+                f"provided default {default}."
+            )
+            return default
+    return default
+
+
 def env_bool(key, default):
     if key in os.environ:
         return (