diff --git a/common/os_filesystem.go b/common/os_filesystem.go
index 755de09..5f75b11 100644
--- a/common/os_filesystem.go
+++ b/common/os_filesystem.go
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ type OsFilesystem struct{}
 
 func (*OsFilesystem) GetAbsolutePath(path string) string {
 	// homedir is assumed to work correctly
+	path = FixHomeExpansion(path)
 	path = ConvertSimpleVarsToBraces(path)
 	expandedPath, err := homedir.Expand(path)
 	if err == nil {
diff --git a/common/variable_expander.go b/common/variable_expander.go
index 662e84b..1dbb980 100644
--- a/common/variable_expander.go
+++ b/common/variable_expander.go
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 func CustomExpandVariables(input string, fn func(key string) (value string, ok bool)) string {
+	input = FixHomeExpansion(input)
 	input = ConvertSimpleVarsToBraces(input)
 	input = strings.TrimSpace(input)
 	input = strings.Trim(input, fmt.Sprintf("%v\"'", os.PathListSeparator))
@@ -23,3 +24,9 @@ func ConvertSimpleVarsToBraces(input string) string {
 		return fmt.Sprintf(`${%s}`, parts[1])
 	})
 }
+
+func FixHomeExpansion(path string) string {
+	path = strings.ReplaceAll(path, "$HOME/", "~/")
+	path = strings.ReplaceAll(path, "${HOME}/", "~/")
+	return path
+}