diff --git a/tests/auto/rt_auto.py b/tests/auto/rt_auto.py
index a5d23ff33e..da14a4606d 100644
--- a/tests/auto/rt_auto.py
+++ b/tests/auto/rt_auto.py
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ def parse_args_in():
     parser = argparse.ArgumentParser()
 
     # Setup Input Arguments
-    choices = ['hera.intel', 'orion.intel', 'gaea.intel', 'jet.intel', 'wcoss_dell_p3']
+    choices = ['cheyenne.gnu', 'hera.intel', 'orion.intel', 'gaea.intel', 'jet.intel', 'wcoss_dell_p3']
     parser.add_argument('-m', '--machine', help='Machine and Compiler combination', required=True, choices=choices, type=str)
     parser.add_argument('-w', '--workdir', help='Working directory', required=True, type=str)
 
diff --git a/tests/auto/rt_auto.sh b/tests/auto/rt_auto.sh
old mode 100644
new mode 100755
index 61fe523c6e..67660f8e11
--- a/tests/auto/rt_auto.sh
+++ b/tests/auto/rt_auto.sh
@@ -31,10 +31,14 @@ elif [[ $MACHINE_ID = gaea.* ]]; then
   export PATH=/lustre/f2/pdata/esrl/gsd/contrib/miniconda3/4.8.3/envs/ufs-weather-model/bin:$PATH
   export PYTHONPATH=/lustre/f2/pdata/esrl/gsd/contrib/miniconda3/4.8.3/lib/python3.8/site-packages
 elif [[ $MACHINE_ID = cheyenne.* ]]; then
-  #export PATH=/glade/p/ral/jntp/tools/ecFlow-5.3.1/bin:$PATH
-  #export PYTHONPATH=/glade/p/ral/jntp/tools/ecFlow-5.3.1/lib/python2.7/site-packages
-  echo "cheyenne not currently supported. automated RT not starting"
-  exit 1
+  WORKDIR=/glade/work/heinzell/fv3/ufs-weather-model/auto-rt
+  export ACCNR="P48503002"
+  # DH* 20210226 temporary workaround to be able to use gnu
+  export RT_COMPILER="gnu"
+  export MACHINE_ID="cheyenne.gnu"
+  # *DH 20210226
+  export PATH=/glade/p/ral/jntp/tools/miniconda3/4.8.3/envs/ufs-weather-model/bin:/glade/p/ral/jntp/tools/miniconda3/4.8.3/bin:$PATH
+  export PYTHONPATH=/glade/p/ral/jntp/tools/miniconda3/4.8.3/envs/ufs-weather-model/lib/python3.8/site-packages:/glade/p/ral/jntp/tools/miniconda3/4.8.3/lib/python3.8/site-packages
 else
   echo "No Python Path for this machine. automated RT not starting"
   exit 1