diff --git a/GPy/util/config.py b/GPy/util/config.py
index 53675efe..c6e09e1a 100644
--- a/GPy/util/config.py
+++ b/GPy/util/config.py
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ except ImportError:
     config = configparser.ConfigParser()
     from configparser import NoOptionError
 
-
 # This is the default configuration file that always needs to be present.
 default_file = os.path.abspath(os.path.join(os.path.dirname( __file__ ), '..', 'defaults.cfg'))
 
@@ -22,7 +21,7 @@ default_file = os.path.abspath(os.path.join(os.path.dirname( __file__ ), '..', '
 local_file = os.path.abspath(os.path.join(os.path.dirname( __file__ ), '..', 'installation.cfg'))
 
 # This specifies configurations specific to the user (it is found in the user home directory)
-home = os.getenv('HOME') or os.getenv('USERPROFILE')
+home = os.getenv('HOME') or os.getenv('USERPROFILE') or ''
 user_file = os.path.join(home,'.config','GPy', 'user.cfg')
 
 # Read in the given files.