diff --git a/tests/functional/conftest.py b/tests/functional/conftest.py
index bc56aae5..098d6ea4 100644
--- a/tests/functional/conftest.py
+++ b/tests/functional/conftest.py
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 import logging
+import os
 import platform
+from pathlib import Path
 
 import pytest
 from utils import RESOURCES_DIR, Resource
@@ -8,13 +10,19 @@
 
 log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
+BASES = {
+    "ubuntu@20.04": "focal",
+    "ubuntu@22.04": "jammy",
+    "ubuntu@24.04": "noble",
+}
+
 
 def pytest_addoption(parser):
     parser.addoption(
         "--base",
         type=str.lower,
-        default="ubuntu@22.04",
-        choices=["ubuntu@20.04", "ubuntu@22.04", "ubuntu@24.04"],
+        default="ubuntu@20.04",
+        choices=BASES.keys(),
         help="Set base for the applications.",
     )
 
@@ -146,3 +154,21 @@ def required_resources(resources: list[Resource], provided_collectors: set) -> l
             required_resources.append(resource)
 
     return required_resources
+
+
+@pytest.fixture()
+def charm_path(base: str) -> Path:
+    """Fixture to determine the charm path based on the base."""
+    env_charm_path = f"CHARM_PATH_{BASES[base].upper()}"
+    path = os.getenv(env_charm_path)
+
+    if not path:
+        raise EnvironmentError(
+            f"Environment variable '{env_charm_path}' is not set for base '{base}'."
+        )
+    if not Path(path).exists():
+        raise FileNotFoundError(
+            f"The path specified in '{env_charm_path}' ({path}) does not exist."
+        )
+
+    return Path(path)
diff --git a/tests/functional/test_charm.py b/tests/functional/test_charm.py
index 837665cd..aed738f1 100644
--- a/tests/functional/test_charm.py
+++ b/tests/functional/test_charm.py
@@ -56,17 +56,13 @@ class AppStatus(str, Enum):
 @pytest.mark.abort_on_fail
 @pytest.mark.skip_if_deployed
 async def test_build_and_deploy(  # noqa: C901, function is too complex
-    ops_test: OpsTest, base, architecture, provided_collectors, required_resources
+    ops_test: OpsTest, base, architecture, provided_collectors, required_resources, charm_path
 ):
-    """Build the charm-under-test and deploy it together with related charms.
+    """Deploy the charm together with related charms.
 
     Assert on the unit status before any relations/configurations take place.
     Optionally attach required resources when testing with real hardware.
     """
-    # Build and deploy charm from local source folder
-    charm = await ops_test.build_charm(".")
-    assert charm, "Charm was not built successfully."
-
     # This is required for subordinate appliation to choose right revison
     # on different architecture.
     # See issue: https://bugs.launchpad.net/juju/+bug/2067749
@@ -77,7 +73,7 @@ async def test_build_and_deploy(  # noqa: C901, function is too complex
     logger.info("Rendering bundle %s", bundle_template_path)
     bundle = ops_test.render_bundle(
         bundle_template_path,
-        charm=charm,
+        charm=charm_path,
         base=base,
         resources={
             "storcli-deb": "empty-resource",