diff --git a/init.bash b/init.bash
index 29daef8a..dab20339 100755
--- a/init.bash
+++ b/init.bash
@@ -48,9 +48,9 @@ elif ! command -v nixos-version >/dev/null 2>&1; then
 fi
 
 echo
-echo "Everything should be set up. Run one of the following commands (depending on your current system) to apply configuration. After applied, you can use \`nix-apply\` (a shell alias) going forward."
+echo "Everything should be set up. Run one of the following commands (depending on your current system) to apply configuration. After applied the first time, you shouldn't need to set the \$NIX_CONFIG variable and you can use \`nix-apply\` (a shell alias) going forward."
 echo
 
 # output value of the shell alias, highlighted
-grep "switch --flake" "$SCRIPT_DIR/home-manager/modules/fish.nix" | sed -e 's/\(.*\)/\x1b[38;5;166m\1\x1b[0m/' | awk '{$1:$1;print}'
+echo "NIX_CONFIG=\"experimental-features = nix-command flakes\" $(grep "switch --flake" "$SCRIPT_DIR/home-manager/modules/fish.nix") | sed -e 's/\(.*\)/\x1b[38;5;166m\1\x1b[0m/' | awk '{$1:$1;print}'
 echo