diff --git a/prepare.py b/prepare.py
index e7021ea..bcb3353 100755
--- a/prepare.py
+++ b/prepare.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ os.chdir(me)
 print("--- install python dependencies ---")
 venv.create(".venv", with_pip=True)
 shared.exec("""
-source .venv/bin/activate
+. .venv/bin/activate
 which python3
 python3 -m pip install .
 python3 -m pip install -r scenarios/requirements.txt
@@ -36,6 +36,6 @@ flavor.download()
 print(f"""done! now, run:
 > sudo -i
 > cd {os.getcwd()}
-> source ./.venv/bin/activate
+> . ./.venv/bin/activate
 > ./mknet scenario ./topo/with-vdsl.yml ./scenarios/garage-s3lat garage-v0.8
 """)