diff --git a/boxcars/boxcars.go b/boxcars/boxcars.go
index 05b68e0..403eeba 100644
--- a/boxcars/boxcars.go
+++ b/boxcars/boxcars.go
@@ -29,13 +29,13 @@ func main() {
 		os.Exit(1)
 	}
 
+	if secure {
+		boxcars.Secure(user_id, group_id)
+	}
+
 	boxcars.SetFilename(filename)
 	go boxcars.ReadConfig()
 	go boxcars.AutoReload()
 
-	if secure {
-		go boxcars.Secure(user_id, group_id)
-	}
-
 	boxcars.Listen(port)
 }
diff --git a/handlers-of.go b/handlers-of.go
index 2d4abcf..e18aaae 100644
--- a/handlers-of.go
+++ b/handlers-of.go
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ import (
 	"regexp"
 	"fmt"
 	"os"
+	"os/user"
+	"strings"
 )
 
 type Handlers map[string]*Handler
@@ -12,6 +14,7 @@ func handlerOf (uri string, hasCustom404 bool, custom404 string) *Handler {
 	debug("Setting up the HTTP handler that will serve %s", uri)
 
 	handler := &Handler{ false, false, uri, nil }
+	uri = expandUser(uri)
 	isStatic := isLocalPath(uri)
 
 	if isStatic && isSingleFile(uri) {
@@ -76,3 +79,13 @@ func isSingleFile (uri string) bool {
 
 	return false
 }
+
+func expandUser(uri string) string {
+	if !strings.HasPrefix(uri, "~/") {
+		return uri
+	}
+	usr, _ := user.Current()
+	dir := usr.HomeDir
+	uri = strings.Replace(uri, "~", dir, 1)
+	return uri
+}