diff --git a/x86_64/qemu-boot.sh b/x86_64/qemu-boot.sh
index ddf751c..46a9bf2 100755
--- a/x86_64/qemu-boot.sh
+++ b/x86_64/qemu-boot.sh
@@ -41,6 +41,9 @@ checkDependencies() {
     fi
 }
 
+# make sure we are in a GUI
+DISPLAY="${DISPLAY:-:0}"
+
 # Parse command line arguments
 bootInstalled=false
 while getopts "ih" opt; do