diff --git a/src/PowerShellEditorServices.Hosting/Commands/StartEditorServicesCommand.cs b/src/PowerShellEditorServices.Hosting/Commands/StartEditorServicesCommand.cs
index 0630c33f1..f12bbc905 100644
--- a/src/PowerShellEditorServices.Hosting/Commands/StartEditorServicesCommand.cs
+++ b/src/PowerShellEditorServices.Hosting/Commands/StartEditorServicesCommand.cs
@@ -38,6 +38,8 @@ public sealed class StartEditorServicesCommand : PSCmdlet
 
         public StartEditorServicesCommand()
         {
+            //Sets the distribution channel to "PSES" so starts can be distinguished in PS7+ telemetry
+            Environment.SetEnvironmentVariable("POWERSHELL_DISTRIBUTION_CHANNEL", "PSES");
             _disposableResources = new List<IDisposable>();
             _loggerUnsubscribers = new List<IDisposable>();
         }