diff -r e21b0bbc06ea Lib/ssl.py
--- a/Lib/ssl.py	Sat Sep 20 08:54:32 2014 +0300
+++ b/Lib/ssl.py	Sat Sep 20 12:00:04 2014 +0200
@@ -379,8 +379,9 @@
         if sys.platform == "win32":
             for storename in self._windows_cert_stores:
                 self._load_windows_store_certs(storename, purpose)
-        else:
-            self.set_default_verify_paths()
+        # always use OpenSSL's set_default_verify_paths to load certs
+        # from SSL_CERT_DIR and SSL_CERT_FILE env vars. 
+        self.set_default_verify_paths()
 
 
 def create_default_context(purpose=Purpose.SERVER_AUTH, *, cafile=None,