diff --git a/test/units/util.sh b/test/units/util.sh
index 2f6a25fb97..8562b3f434 100755
--- a/test/units/util.sh
+++ b/test/units/util.sh
@@ -164,6 +164,7 @@ create_dummy_container() {
     fi
 
     mkdir -p "$root"
+    chmod 555 "$root"
     cp -a /testsuite-13-container-template/* "$root"
     coverage_create_nspawn_dropin "$root"
 }