diff --git a/cargo.sh b/cargo.sh
index 42c137030a5d..5af238121519 100755
--- a/cargo.sh
+++ b/cargo.sh
@@ -6,9 +6,13 @@ fi
 
 pushd $(dirname "$0") >/dev/null
 source config.sh
+
+# read nightly compiler from rust-toolchain file
+TOOLCHAIN=$(cat rust-toolchain)
+
 popd >/dev/null
 
 cmd=$1
 shift
 
-cargo $cmd --target $TARGET_TRIPLE $@
+cargo +${TOOLCHAIN} $cmd --target $TARGET_TRIPLE $@
diff --git a/rust-toolchain b/rust-toolchain
index bf867e0ae5b6..ae478dbcb74e 100644
--- a/rust-toolchain
+++ b/rust-toolchain
@@ -1 +1 @@
-nightly
+nightly-2020-01-13