diff --git a/controldeck.py b/controldeck.py
index f26cbf3..5ad4bff 100644
--- a/controldeck.py
+++ b/controldeck.py
@@ -203,9 +203,9 @@ def application(request):
         Button(empty=True, a=eval(var))
       elif 'icon-image' in j and j['icon-image'] != '':
         svg = ''
-        if path.isfile(j['icon-image']):
+        if path.isfile(path.expanduser(j['icon-image'])):
           try:
-            with open(j['icon-image']) as f:
+            with open(path.expanduser(j['icon-image'])) as f:
               svg = f.read()
           except Exception as e:
             print(f"{e}")
diff --git a/example/controldeck.conf b/example/controldeck.conf
index 3acfd12..c62243f 100644
--- a/example/controldeck.conf
+++ b/example/controldeck.conf
@@ -20,18 +20,20 @@
 #   second command
 #   ...
 # icon = Font Awesome name
+# icon-image = path to svg file
 #
-#  : N.        optional group/row specification
-#  : NAME      id, name of the button
-#  : color-bg  background color
-#  : color-bg  forground color
-#  : command   command(s) to run
-#  : icon      use icon instead of NAME (Font Awesome), e.g.: fas fa-play
+#  : N.          optional group/row specification
+#  : NAME        id, name of the button
+#  : color-bg    background color
+#  : color-bg    forground color
+#  : command     command(s) to run
+#  : icon        use icon instead of NAME (Font Awesome), e.g.: fas fa-play
+#  : icon-image  absolute path to svg file
 #
 # [N.empty.NAME]
 #
-#  : N.        optional number to specify group/row
-#  : NAME      id, name of the button
+#  : N.    optional number to specify group/row
+#  : NAME  id, name of the button
 
 [gui]
 width = 800