diff --git a/firstapp/samples/shade/getting_started.py b/firstapp/samples/shade/getting_started.py
index 8c96cfe29..72ec1d154 100644
--- a/firstapp/samples/shade/getting_started.py
+++ b/firstapp/samples/shade/getting_started.py
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ conn.delete_server(name_or_id=instance_name)
 #step-9
 print('Checking for existing SSH keypair...')
 keypair_name = 'demokey'
-pub_key_file = '~/.ssh/demo_key.pub'
+pub_key_file = '/home/username/.ssh/id_rsa.pub'
 
 if conn.search_keypairs(keypair_name):
     print('Keypair already exists. Skipping import.')
diff --git a/firstapp/source/getting_started.rst b/firstapp/source/getting_started.rst
index 7ff4a4236..3a35b9b19 100644
--- a/firstapp/source/getting_started.rst
+++ b/firstapp/source/getting_started.rst
@@ -1193,6 +1193,9 @@ your public SSH key file.
 
 .. only:: libcloud
 
+    .. note:: If you see an IOError, you may need to change ``~/.ssh/`` to
+       ``/home/{USERNAME}/.ssh/``, using an absolute path.
+
     .. literalinclude:: ../samples/libcloud/getting_started.py
         :start-after: step-9
         :end-before: step-10