diff --git a/TESTCPU b/TESTCPU
index 8d3ffa04..080755d4 100755
--- a/TESTCPU
+++ b/TESTCPU
@@ -1,10 +1,9 @@
 #!/bin/bash
 set -e
-SOURCE=${SOURCE:=$HOME/go/src/github.com/u-root/u-root}
+UROOT=${UROOT:=$HOME/go/src/github.com/u-root/u-root}
 KERNEL=${KERNEL:=$HOME/linuxboot/mainboards/intel/generic/kernel-noinitramfs}
 VMN=${VMN:=42}
-KEY=${KEY:=~/.ssh/cpu_rsa.pub:key.pub}
-UROOT=${UROOT:=~/go/src/github.com/u-root/u-root}
+KEY=${KEY:=$HOME/.ssh/cpu_rsa.pub}
 
 echo NOTE: WE USED TO RUN CPUD AUTOMAGICALLY
 echo That turned out to be inconvenient for testing
@@ -13,6 +12,11 @@ echo If you want to test cpud as the init, add this line
 echo to the u-root command, along with the other switches.
 echo -initcmd=/bbin/cpud \
 
+# error our early for simple things
+ls ${KEY}
+ls -d ${UROOT}
+ls ${KERNEL}
+
 # You will need to put your host key and private key somewhere. They will be placed in the proper place in the image.
 #
 # $* is positioned where it is so you can use extra switches like -h or add files via, e.g., -files whatever
diff --git a/session/session_linux.go b/session/session_linux.go
index 404f01df..f53a1c8c 100644
--- a/session/session_linux.go
+++ b/session/session_linux.go
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ func (s *Session) Namespace() error {
 	// The debug= option is here so you can see how to temporarily set it if needed.
 	// It generates copious output so use it sparingly.
 	// A useful compromise value is 5.
-	opts := fmt.Sprintf("version=9p2000.L,trans=fd,rfdno=%d,wfdno=%d,uname=%v,debug=0,msize=%d", fd, fd, user, s.msize)
+	opts := fmt.Sprintf("version=9p2000.L,noxattr,trans=fd,rfdno=%d,wfdno=%d,uname=%v,debug=0,msize=%d", fd, fd, user, s.msize)
 	if len(s.mopts) > 0 {
 		opts += "," + s.mopts
 	}