diff --git a/cmd/kubeadm/app/cmd/init.go b/cmd/kubeadm/app/cmd/init.go
index 76f2299e0d4..591f662e2cc 100644
--- a/cmd/kubeadm/app/cmd/init.go
+++ b/cmd/kubeadm/app/cmd/init.go
@@ -56,6 +56,10 @@ var (
 		  sudo cp -i {{.KubeConfigPath}} $HOME/.kube/config
 		  sudo chown $(id -u):$(id -g) $HOME/.kube/config
 
+		Alternatively, if you are the root user, you can run:
+
+		  export KUBECONFIG=/etc/kubernetes/admin.conf
+
 		You should now deploy a pod network to the cluster.
 		Run "kubectl apply -f [podnetwork].yaml" with one of the options listed at:
 		  https://kubernetes.io/docs/concepts/cluster-administration/addons/