diff --git a/dist/setup.sh b/dist/setup.sh
index 35a9fba..9ed8b9d 100755
--- a/dist/setup.sh
+++ b/dist/setup.sh
@@ -181,6 +181,7 @@ configure() {
 
   # configure features of cyphernode
   docker run -v $current_path:/data \
+             -e DEFAULT_USER=$USER \
              --log-driver=none$pw_env \
              --rm$interactive cyphernodeconf:latest $(id -u):$(id -g) yo --no-insight cyphernode$gen_options $recreate
 }
diff --git a/install/generator-cyphernode/generators/app/index.js b/install/generator-cyphernode/generators/app/index.js
index b67858a..57574e4 100644
--- a/install/generator-cyphernode/generators/app/index.js
+++ b/install/generator-cyphernode/generators/app/index.js
@@ -327,6 +327,7 @@ module.exports = class extends Generator {
       lightning_nodename: '',
       lightning_nodecolor: ''
     }, this.props );
+    this.props.default_username = process.env.DEFAULT_USER || '';
   }
 
   _isChecked( name, value ) {
diff --git a/install/generator-cyphernode/generators/app/templates/installer/start.sh b/install/generator-cyphernode/generators/app/templates/installer/start.sh
index 0cec47a..189451e 100644
--- a/install/generator-cyphernode/generators/app/templates/installer/start.sh
+++ b/install/generator-cyphernode/generators/app/templates/installer/start.sh
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 #!/bin/sh
 
 # run as user <%= username %>
-export USER=$(id -u <%= run_as_different_user?username:'' %>):$(id -g <%= run_as_different_user?username:'' %>)
+export USER=$(id -u <%= run_as_different_user?username:default_username %>):$(id -g <%= run_as_different_user?username:default_username %>)
 export ARCH=$(uname -m)
 
 <% if (docker_mode == 'swarm') { %>