diff --git a/src/os/file.go b/src/os/file.go
index d880a37569d..5f715f42752 100644
--- a/src/os/file.go
+++ b/src/os/file.go
@@ -445,6 +445,12 @@ func UserHomeDir() (string, error) {
 		env, enverr = "USERPROFILE", "%userprofile%"
 	case "plan9":
 		env, enverr = "home", "$home"
+	}
+	if v := Getenv(env); v != "" {
+		return v, nil
+	}
+	// On some geese the home directory is not always defined.
+	switch runtime.GOOS {
 	case "nacl", "android":
 		return "/", nil
 	case "darwin":
@@ -452,9 +458,6 @@ func UserHomeDir() (string, error) {
 			return "/", nil
 		}
 	}
-	if v := Getenv(env); v != "" {
-		return v, nil
-	}
 	return "", errors.New(enverr + " is not defined")
 }