diff --git a/lib/app.js b/lib/app.js
index <HASH>..<HASH> 100644
--- a/lib/app.js
+++ b/lib/app.js
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ var Performer = require('./performer')
 
 function App(opts) {
   var options = opts || {};
-  var ydmHome = process.env.YDM_HOME || path.join(process.env.HOME, '.ydm')
+  var ydmHome = process.env.YDM_HOME || (process.env.HOME ? path.join(process.env.HOME, '.ydm') : null)
   this.scopesPath = options.scopesPath || path.join(ydmHome, 'scopes')
   this.dropsPath = options.dropsPath
   if (this.dropsPath) mkdirp.sync(this.dropsPath)
don't break when no HOME set