diff --git a/docker/docker-init.sh b/docker/docker-init.sh
index 7c9544a00..7f3c0f2db 100644
--- a/docker/docker-init.sh
+++ b/docker/docker-init.sh
@@ -112,6 +112,7 @@ echo "Activating the virtual python environment ..."
 
 if ! $VIRTDIR/bin/python -c "import django"; then
     echo "Installing requirements ..."
+    pip install --upgrade pip
     reqs=/home/$USER/$CWD/requirements.txt
     if [ ! -f $reqs ]; then
         echo "   Using $reqs"
@@ -188,4 +189,6 @@ else
     echo "LANG=$LANG"
 fi
 
+HOME=/opt/home/$USER
+
 su -p $USER