diff --git a/os.go b/os.go
index 3dd9b1f9..0b9a61fd 100644
--- a/os.go
+++ b/os.go
@@ -66,10 +66,14 @@ func init() {
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Printf("user: %s", err)
 		if os.Getenv("HOME") == "" {
-			log.Print("$HOME variable is empty or not set")
+			panic("$HOME variable is empty or not set")
 		}
 		if os.Getenv("USER") == "" {
-			log.Print("$USER variable is empty or not set")
+			panic("$USER variable is empty or not set")
+		}
+		u = &user.User{
+			Username: os.Getenv("USER"),
+			HomeDir:  os.Getenv("HOME"),
 		}
 	}
 	gUser = u