diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index cbb1a75..b91cf81 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -12,3 +12,4 @@ __pycache__
 
 # geckodriver.log
 *.log
+docker/.env
diff --git a/doc/install.md b/doc/install.md
index 2dd5592..c49f029 100644
--- a/doc/install.md
+++ b/doc/install.md
@@ -30,6 +30,12 @@ Without this step you will need to preface each `docker-compose` command with `s
     https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/linux-postinstall/
 
 
+#### Copy the default environment file:
+
+    cd basicswap/docker
+    cp example.env .env
+
+
 #### (Optional) Set custom coin data path:
 
 Coin-related files, such as blockchain and wallet files, are stored in `/var/data/coinswaps` by default. To use a different location, simply modify the target path in your `.env` file found within the `/docker` sub-folder.
diff --git a/doc/upgrade.md b/doc/upgrade.md
index 9e1bae7..41031d1 100644
--- a/doc/upgrade.md
+++ b/doc/upgrade.md
@@ -27,8 +27,7 @@ If the dependencies have changed the container must be built with `--no-cache`:
 
 After updating the code and rebuilding the container run:
 
-    basicswap/docker]$ export COINDATA_PATH=[PATH_TO]
-    $ docker-compose run --rm swapclient \
+    basicswap/docker]$ docker-compose run --rm swapclient \
         basicswap-prepare --datadir=/coindata --preparebinonly --withcoins=monero,bitcoin
 
 
diff --git a/docker/.env b/docker/example.env
similarity index 100%
rename from docker/.env
rename to docker/example.env