diff --git a/configs/learning_gem5/part1/simple.py b/configs/learning_gem5/part1/simple.py
index c624de0..2947b7d 100644
--- a/configs/learning_gem5/part1/simple.py
+++ b/configs/learning_gem5/part1/simple.py
@@ -89,8 +89,11 @@
 # get ISA for the binary to run.
 isa = str(m5.defines.buildEnv['TARGET_ISA']).lower()
 
-# Run 'hello' and use the compiled ISA to find the binary
-binary = 'tests/test-progs/hello/bin/' + isa + '/linux/hello'
+# Default to running 'hello', use the compiled ISA to find the binary
+# grab the specific path to the binary
+thispath = os.path.dirname(os.path.realpath(__file__))
+binary = os.path.join(thispath, '../../../',
+                      'tests/test-progs/hello/bin/', isa, 'linux/hello')
 
 # Create a process for a simple "Hello World" application
 process = Process()
diff --git a/configs/learning_gem5/part1/two_level.py b/configs/learning_gem5/part1/two_level.py
index b6f8781..dcf565a 100644
--- a/configs/learning_gem5/part1/two_level.py
+++ b/configs/learning_gem5/part1/two_level.py
@@ -67,7 +67,10 @@
 isa = str(m5.defines.buildEnv['TARGET_ISA']).lower()
 
 # Default to running 'hello', use the compiled ISA to find the binary
-binary = 'tests/test-progs/hello/bin/' + isa + '/linux/hello'
+# grab the specific path to the binary
+thispath = os.path.dirname(os.path.realpath(__file__))
+binary = os.path.join(thispath, '../../../',
+                      'tests/test-progs/hello/bin/', isa, 'linux/hello')
 
 # Check if there was a binary passed in via the command line and error if
 # there are too many arguments
diff --git a/configs/learning_gem5/part2/simple_cache.py b/configs/learning_gem5/part2/simple_cache.py
index c650242..5523b7f 100644
--- a/configs/learning_gem5/part2/simple_cache.py
+++ b/configs/learning_gem5/part2/simple_cache.py
@@ -88,8 +88,12 @@
 # Create a process for a simple "Hello World" application
 process = Process()
 # Set the command
+# grab the specific path to the binary
+thispath = os.path.dirname(os.path.realpath(__file__))
+binpath = os.path.join(thispath, '../../../',
+                       'tests/test-progs/hello/bin/x86/linux/hello')
 # cmd is a list which begins with the executable (like argv)
-process.cmd = ['tests/test-progs/hello/bin/x86/linux/hello']
+process.cmd = [binpath]
 # Set the cpu to use the process as its workload and create thread contexts
 system.cpu.workload = process
 system.cpu.createThreads()
diff --git a/configs/learning_gem5/part2/simple_memobj.py b/configs/learning_gem5/part2/simple_memobj.py
index 24c6a24..b1432bd 100644
--- a/configs/learning_gem5/part2/simple_memobj.py
+++ b/configs/learning_gem5/part2/simple_memobj.py
@@ -86,8 +86,12 @@
 # Create a process for a simple "Hello World" application
 process = Process()
 # Set the command
+# grab the specific path to the binary
+thispath = os.path.dirname(os.path.realpath(__file__))
+binpath = os.path.join(thispath, '../../../',
+                       'tests/test-progs/hello/bin/x86/linux/hello')
 # cmd is a list which begins with the executable (like argv)
-process.cmd = ['tests/test-progs/hello/bin/x86/linux/hello']
+process.cmd = [binpath]
 # Set the cpu to use the process as its workload and create thread contexts
 system.cpu.workload = process
 system.cpu.createThreads()