diff --git a/one.cpp b/one.cpp
index 1f38361f6..93504cfba 100644
--- a/one.cpp
+++ b/one.cpp
@@ -1488,7 +1488,8 @@ int main(int argc,char **argv)
 
 #ifdef __UNIX_LIKE__
 #ifdef ZT_HAVE_DROP_PRIVILEGES
-	dropPrivileges(argv[0],homeDir);
+	if (!skipRootCheck)
+		dropPrivileges(argv[0],homeDir);
 #endif
 
 	std::string pidPath(homeDir + ZT_PATH_SEPARATOR_S + ZT_PID_PATH);