diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 0ec2f59..c484b39 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -51,6 +51,13 @@ attach to existing tmux window
 
 ## installing
 
+ensure system is up to date
+
+```
+sudo apt-get update
+sudo apt upgrade
+```
+
 clone the repo and set up virtual env
 
 ```
diff --git a/myriad/__init__.py b/myriad/__init__.py
index a77c4fd..e2d8a3b 100644
--- a/myriad/__init__.py
+++ b/myriad/__init__.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ from myriad.utilities import server_time, get_datetime_str
 from myriad.db import get_db
 
 
-def create_app(test_config=None):
+def create_app():
     # create and configure the app
     app = Flask(__name__, instance_relative_config=True)
     app.config.from_pyfile('config.py')