diff --git a/lisp/ox-latex.el b/lisp/ox-latex.el
index 99715c4bc..4f69f83ae 100644
--- a/lisp/ox-latex.el
+++ b/lisp/ox-latex.el
@@ -3312,9 +3312,12 @@ This function assumes TABLE has `org' as its `:type' property and
      ;; Environment.  Also treat special cases.
      (cond ((member env '("array" "tabular"))
 	    ;; Make sure cells are always centered while preserving
-	    ;; vertical separators.
-	    (let ((align (replace-regexp-in-string
-			  "[lr]" "c" (org-latex--align-string table info))))
+	    ;; vertical separators, unless user provided a special
+	    ;; align string.
+	    (let ((align
+		   (or (org-export-read-attribute :attr_latex table :align)
+		       (replace-regexp-in-string
+			"[lr]" "c" (org-latex--align-string table info)))))
 	      (format "\\begin{%s}{%s}\n%s\\end{%s}" env align contents env)))
 	   ((assoc env org-latex-table-matrix-macros)
 	    (format "\\%s%s{\n%s}"