diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 36d8d0d..69bc0e9 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ Installing
 
 5. Run ankisyncd:
 
-        $ python ./ankisyncd/sync_app.py
+        $ python ./ankisyncd/sync_app.py ankisyncd.conf
 
 Setting up Anki
 ---------------
diff --git a/ankisyncd/sync_app.py b/ankisyncd/sync_app.py
index 2546b78..8196f05 100644
--- a/ankisyncd/sync_app.py
+++ b/ankisyncd/sync_app.py
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ import logging
 import os
 import random
 import string
+import sys
 import time
 import unicodedata
 import zipfile
@@ -688,8 +689,12 @@ def main():
     from ankisyncd.thread import shutdown
     logging.basicConfig(level=logging.INFO)
 
+    if len(sys.argv) < 2:
+        print("usage: {} configfile".format(os.path.basename(sys.argv[0])), file=sys.stderr)
+        exit(1)
+
     parser = ConfigParser()
-    parser.read("ankisyncd.conf")
+    parser.read(sys.argv[1])
     config = parser['sync_app']
 
     ankiserver = SyncApp(config)