diff --git a/.profile b/.profile
index c9db459..74b7b9a 100644
--- a/.profile
+++ b/.profile
@@ -20,3 +20,9 @@ fi
 if [ -d "$HOME/bin" ] ; then
     PATH="$HOME/bin:$PATH"
 fi
+
+# set PATH so it includes user's private bin if it exists
+if [ -d "$HOME/.local/bin" ] ; then
+	    PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"
+fi
+