diff --git a/persoconf/main.py b/persoconf/main.py
index ab3e8c5..7220479 100755
--- a/persoconf/main.py
+++ b/persoconf/main.py
@@ -412,10 +412,12 @@ if args.command == "package":
         pkg = tarfile.open(pkgname, "w:gz")
         
         for f in appmeta.files:
-            # TODO remove leading '~'
+            filename = args.rootdir +"/"+ appmeta.name +"/"+ f
+            filedest = appmeta.files[f]["dest"].replace("~/", "", 1)
+
             # TODO save and restore owners and permissions
             try:
-                pkg.add(args.rootdir +"/"+ appmeta.name +"/"+ f, arcname=appmeta.files[f]["dest"])
+                pkg.add(filename, arcname=filedest)
                 log.info("Adding %s to package" % f)
             except:
                 log.warning("Failed to add %s to tar package %s" % (f, pkgname))