diff --git a/src/lxc/lxc_container.c b/src/lxc/lxc_container.c
index 33d705b76a..2af2674540 100644
--- a/src/lxc/lxc_container.c
+++ b/src/lxc/lxc_container.c
@@ -236,6 +236,7 @@ static virCommandPtr lxcContainerBuildInitCmd(virDomainDefPtr vmDef,
     virCommandAddEnvString(cmd, "PATH=/bin:/sbin");
     virCommandAddEnvString(cmd, "TERM=linux");
     virCommandAddEnvString(cmd, "container=lxc-libvirt");
+    virCommandAddEnvString(cmd, "HOME=/");
     virCommandAddEnvPair(cmd, "container_uuid", uuidstr);
     if (nttyPaths > 1)
         virCommandAddEnvPair(cmd, "container_ttys", virBufferCurrentContent(&buf));