diff --git a/btrbk-cron b/btrbk-cron
index 5153781..fe8d014 100755
--- a/btrbk-cron
+++ b/btrbk-cron
@@ -5,6 +5,12 @@ LOCKFILE=/run/btrbk/btrbk.lock
 LOGFILE=$(mktemp)
 trap 'rm -f -- "${LOGFILE}"' EXIT
 
+# check for superpowers
+if [[ "${EUID}" -ne 0 ]] ; then
+  echo "Please run me as root"
+  exit 1
+fi
+
 echo "---" | tee -a "${LOGFILE}"
 echo "Start btrbk-cron: $(date||true)" | tee -a "${LOGFILE}"