diff --git a/tools/ci_build/build.py b/tools/ci_build/build.py
index 0c84ef93d9..36aaa5da58 100644
--- a/tools/ci_build/build.py
+++ b/tools/ci_build/build.py
@@ -125,9 +125,14 @@ def _openvino_verify_device_type(device_read):
 
 
 def parse_arguments():
-    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(
+    class Parser(argparse.ArgumentParser):
+        # override argument file line parsing behavior - allow multiple arguments per line and handle quotes
+        def convert_arg_line_to_args(self, arg_line):
+            return shlex.split(arg_line)
+
+    parser = Parser(
         description="ONNXRuntime CI build driver.",
-        usage="""  # noqa
+        usage="""
         Default behavior is --update --build --test for native architecture builds.
         Default behavior is --update --build for cross-compiled builds.
 
@@ -136,7 +141,10 @@ def parse_arguments():
         The Test phase will run all unit tests, and optionally the ONNX tests.
 
         Use the individual flags to only run the specified stages.
-        """)
+        """,
+        # files containing arguments can be specified on the command line with "@<filename>" and the arguments within
+        # will be included at that point
+        fromfile_prefix_chars="@")
     # Main arguments
     parser.add_argument(
         "--build_dir", required=True, help="Path to the build directory.")