diff --git a/install.sh b/install.sh
index 3bc9cc7..23e415b 100755
--- a/install.sh
+++ b/install.sh
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@ config_dir=/etc/advisorycircular
 run_dir=/var/lib/advisorycircular
 user=advisorycircular
 
+if test `whoami` != root; then echo you must run this as root ; exit 1 ; fi
+
 # Create install, config, and run directories if they doesn't exist.
 echo Creating directories
 mkdir -p "$install_dir"