diff --git a/apply.sh b/apply.sh
index 2c3e4d3..948cbfb 100755
--- a/apply.sh
+++ b/apply.sh
@@ -3,15 +3,20 @@
 # it must be run as root or a user with equivalent privileges.
 
 exit_code=0
+# defined in the caller script
+rootdir="$SYSUPDATES_ROOTDIR"
 
 # base os
+cd "$rootdir"
 ./base/voidlinux.sh || exit 1
 
 # bitcoin core
+cd "$rootdir"
 . ./btc/env
 bitcoin_apply || exit_code=$?
 
 # lnd lightning
+cd "$rootdir"
 . ./lnd/env
 lnd_apply || exit_code=$?
 
diff --git a/update.sh b/update.sh
index 01d0a5d..2c927f1 100755
--- a/update.sh
+++ b/update.sh
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ if [ $? -ne 0 ]; then
 fi
 
 # run repo's update script
+export SYSUPDATES_ROOTDIR="$REPODIR"
 export SYSUPDATES_CHANNEL="$BRANCH"
 ./apply.sh >> $LOGFILE 2>&1
 if [ $? -ne 0 ]; then