diff --git a/bm.py b/bm.py
index 151aa16..ac385db 100755
--- a/bm.py
+++ b/bm.py
@@ -525,8 +525,10 @@ def main():
         global debug
         debug = lambda *x,**kx: print("[debug]", *x, file=sys.stderr, **kx)
 
-    db = Database(args.get("--database",
-                  os.path.expanduser("~/.config/bm/bookmarks.sqlite")))
+    db = Database(os.path.expanduser(args["--database"] or
+                                     os.getenv('XDG_DATA_HOME',
+                                               default='~/.local/share')
+                                     + "/bm/bookmarks.sqlite"))
 
     if args["add"]:
         db.add(args["URL"][0], args["TAG"])