diff --git a/buffer/emul.py b/buffer/emul.py
index 6b2f1d5..5e714de 100644
--- a/buffer/emul.py
+++ b/buffer/emul.py
@@ -22,7 +22,12 @@ class XTermBuffer(Buffer, XTerm):
         self._pid, self._pty = pty.fork()
         if self._pid == 0:
             # child process
-            env = {'TERM': self.termtype, 'PATH': os.getenv('PATH')}
+            env = {
+                'TERM': self.termtype,
+                'PATH': os.getenv('PATH'),
+                'USER': os.getenv('USER'),
+                'HOME': os.getenv('HOME'),
+            }
             os.execvpe(cmd, [cmd] + args, env)
 
         self._lock    = threading.Lock()