diff --git a/cobra/cmd/init.go b/cobra/cmd/init.go
index 13792f12..b77c9864 100644
--- a/cobra/cmd/init.go
+++ b/cobra/cmd/init.go
@@ -210,8 +210,8 @@ func initConfig() {
 	}
 
 	viper.SetConfigName(".{{ .appName }}") // name of config file (without extension)
-	viper.AddConfigPath("$HOME")  // adding home directory as first search path
-	viper.AutomaticEnv()          // read in environment variables that match
+	viper.AddConfigPath(os.Getenv("HOME")) // adding home directory as first search path
+	viper.AutomaticEnv()                   // read in environment variables that match
 
 	// If a config file is found, read it in.
 	if err := viper.ReadInConfig(); err == nil {
diff --git a/cobra/cmd/root.go b/cobra/cmd/root.go
index 065c8bf4..32386ace 100644
--- a/cobra/cmd/root.go
+++ b/cobra/cmd/root.go
@@ -61,9 +61,9 @@ func initConfig() {
 		viper.SetConfigFile(cfgFile)
 	}
 
-	viper.SetConfigName(".cobra") // name of config file (without extension)
-	viper.AddConfigPath("$HOME")  // adding home directory as first search path
-	viper.AutomaticEnv()          // read in environment variables that match
+	viper.SetConfigName(".cobra")          // name of config file (without extension)
+	viper.AddConfigPath(os.Getenv("HOME")) // adding home directory as first search path
+	viper.AutomaticEnv()                   // read in environment variables that match
 
 	// If a config file is found, read it in.
 	if err := viper.ReadInConfig(); err == nil {