diff --git a/test/test-kernel.c b/test/test-kernel.c
index 6fba605..411306a 100644
--- a/test/test-kernel.c
+++ b/test/test-kernel.c
@@ -167,6 +167,11 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
 	TCase *tc;
 	int failed;
 
+	if (getuid() != 0) {
+		fprintf(stderr, "This test needs to run as root\n");
+		return 77;
+	}
+
 	s = suite_create("kernel tests");
 
 	tc = tcase_create("EVIOCREVOKE");
diff --git a/test/test-main.c b/test/test-main.c
index d80806f..9a2bf94 100644
--- a/test/test-main.c
+++ b/test/test-main.c
@@ -73,6 +73,11 @@ int main(void)
 	const struct rlimit corelimit = {0, 0};
 	int failed;
 
+	if (getuid() != 0) {
+		fprintf(stderr, "This test needs to run as root\n");
+		return 77;
+	}
+
 	if (is_debugger_attached())
 		setenv("CK_FORK", "no", 0);