diff --git a/src/popper/runner.py b/src/popper/runner.py
index 51ffd7ad0..3bff39915 100644
--- a/src/popper/runner.py
+++ b/src/popper/runner.py
@@ -304,7 +304,7 @@ def _get_container_kwargs(self, step, img, name):
             "image": img,
             "command": list(step.args),
             "name": name,
-            "volumes": [f"{self._config.workspace_dir}:/workspace:Z",],
+            "volumes": [],
             "working_dir": step.dir if step.dir else "/workspace",
             "environment": self._prepare_environment(step),
             "entrypoint": step.runs if step.runs else None,
@@ -315,6 +315,14 @@ def _get_container_kwargs(self, step, img, name):
 
         self._update_with_engine_config(args)
         args.update(step.options)
+
+        if "volumes" not in args:
+            args["volumes"] = []
+        else:
+            args["volumes"] = list(args["volumes"])
+
+        args["volumes"].append(f"{self._config.workspace_dir}:/workspace:Z")
+
         log.debug(f"container args: {pu.prettystr(args)}\n")
 
         return args