diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 64c5ffb1b..de0819f21 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ export NOTIFY_EMAIL_DOMAIN='notify.works'
 export NOTIFY_JOB_QUEUE='[unique-to-environment]-notify-jobs-queue' # NOTE unique prefix
 export NOTIFICATION_QUEUE_PREFIX='[unique-to-environment]-notification_development' # NOTE unique prefix
 export SECRET_KEY='dev-notify-secret-key'
-export SQLALCHEMY_DATABASE_URI = 'postgresql://localhost/notification_api'
+export SQLALCHEMY_DATABASE_URI='postgresql://localhost/notification_api'
 export TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID=[contact team member for account sid]
 export TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN=[contact team member for auth token]
 export VERIFY_CODE_FROM_EMAIL_ADDRESS='no-reply@notify.works'