diff --git a/nethack-launcher.go b/nethack-launcher.go
index 3813b7d..234a6fc 100644
--- a/nethack-launcher.go
+++ b/nethack-launcher.go
@@ -442,7 +442,9 @@ func printProgressScreen(redisClient *redis.Client, username string) {
 }
 
 func runGame(username, timestamp string) {
-	nhCommand := fmt.Sprintf("nethack -d %s -u %s\n", config.NethackLauncher.HackDir, username)
+	// put together users home dir
+	homeDir := fmt.Sprintf("%s/user/%s/", config.NethackLauncher.HackDir, username)
+	nhCommand := fmt.Sprintf("HOME=%s nethack -d %s -u %s\n", homeDir, config.NethackLauncher.HackDir, username)
 	ttyrecPath := fmt.Sprintf("%s/user/%s/ttyrec/%s.ttyrec", config.NethackLauncher.HackDir, username, timestamp)
 	exec.Command("stty", "-F", "/dev/tty", "echo", "-cbreak").Run()
 	clearScreen()