diff --git a/.env.template b/.env.template
index 42c9c3e..f40c021 100644
--- a/.env.template
+++ b/.env.template
@@ -4,5 +4,5 @@
 # the variables declared in .env are loaded automatically in run.py
 
 
-export MY_VAR="/home/user/my_system_path"
-export MY_KEY="asdgjhawi8y23ihsghsueity23ihwd"
+MY_VAR="/home/user/my/system/path"
+MY_KEY="asdgjhawi8y23ihsghsueity23ihwd"
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 4c7e6a9..345f53f 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -712,8 +712,8 @@ System specific variables (e.g. absolute paths to datasets) should not be under
 
 Template contains `.env.template` file, which serves as an example. Create a new file called `.env` (this name is excluded from version control in .gitignore).
 You should use it for storing environment variables like this:
-```bash
-export MY_VAR=/home/user/my_system_path
+```yaml
+MY_VAR=/home/user/my_system_path
 ```
 All variables from `.env` are loaded in `run.py` automatically.