diff --git a/src/core/main.c b/src/core/main.c
index 91cbee2e590..8a73ad3cc79 100644
--- a/src/core/main.c
+++ b/src/core/main.c
@@ -1776,6 +1776,10 @@ finish:
                         args[i++] = sfd;
                         args[i++] = NULL;
 
+                        /* do not pass along the environment we inherit from the kernel or initrd */
+                        if (switch_root_dir)
+                                clearenv();
+
                         assert(i <= args_size);
                         execv(args[0], (char* const*) args);
                 }