Why sudo -i command is not setting the TERM, PATH, HOME, SHELL, LOGNAME, USER and USERNAME on my fresh Ubuntu 12.04.1 LTS as decribed in the manual? # sudo -u johnny -i echo $HOME && echo $USER /root root Using -H is not setting $HOME either. And my user does exist with a home : # cat /etc/passwd [..] johnny:x:1000:1000::/home/johnny:/bin/bash Update : Why am I having this issue? Because I am trying to create an ubuntu upstart job for multiple unicorn applications & I am using user installation of RVM + Bundle : without $HOME being properly evaluated, RVM do not find ~/.rvm.