diff --git a/aurweb/spawn.py b/aurweb/spawn.py
index 46d534d9..3c5130d7 100644
--- a/aurweb/spawn.py
+++ b/aurweb/spawn.py
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ configuration anyway.
 import argparse
 import atexit
 import os
+import os.path
 import subprocess
 import sys
 import tempfile
@@ -87,6 +88,9 @@ def start():
         return
     atexit.register(stop)
 
+    if 'AUR_CONFIG' in os.environ:
+        os.environ['AUR_CONFIG'] = os.path.realpath(os.environ['AUR_CONFIG'])
+
     try:
         terminal_width = os.get_terminal_size().columns
     except OSError: