diff --git a/tools/install.sh b/tools/install.sh
index 93608eb7c..f04d0dc9c 100755
--- a/tools/install.sh
+++ b/tools/install.sh
@@ -45,7 +45,9 @@ USER=${USER:-$(id -u -n)}
 # $HOME is defined at the time of login, but it could be unset. If it is unset,
 # a tilde by itself (~) will not be expanded to the current user's home directory.
 # POSIX: https://pubs.opengroup.org/onlinepubs/009696899/basedefs/xbd_chap08.html#tag_08_03
-HOME="${HOME:-$(getent passwd $USER | cut -d: -f6)}"
+HOME="${HOME:-$(getent passwd $USER 2>/dev/null | cut -d: -f6)}"
+# macOS does not have getent, but this works even if $HOME is unset
+HOME="${HOME:-$(eval echo ~$USER)}"
 
 
 # Track if $ZSH was provided