diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 01657ba..3fe21ab 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -41,9 +41,11 @@ $ ./gpodder2go init
 
 4. Start the gpodder server
 ```
-$ gpodder2go serve
+$ VERIFIER_SECRET_KEY="" gpodder2go serve
 ```
 
+**Note**: `VERIFIER_SECRET_KEY` is a required env var. This value will be used to sign and verify the sessionid which will be used to authenticate users.
+
 5. Create a new user
 ```
 $ gpodder2go accounts create <username> --email="<email>" --name="<display_name>" --password="<password>"