The default PATH crontab is using is 'only' /usr/bin:/bin, however you can adjust it. Instead of writing the things in that script try adding it directly into the crontab command: @reboot PATH='/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/sbin:/bin:/usr/local/rvm/gems/ruby-1.9.2-p180/bin'; /etc/init.d/unicorn_myapp start > /home/username/unicorn_start.out 2>&1 You can also add the path variable above every cronjob so it's applicable to every task you put in there: PATH='/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/sbin:/bin:/usr/local/rvm/gems/ruby-1.9.2-p180/bin' # # * * * * * myjob.sh @reboot /home/username/unicorn_start.sh > /home/username/unicorn_start.out 2>&1.