diff --git a/source3/utils/smbpasswd.c b/source3/utils/smbpasswd.c
index deed08fea32..17eb43cb7e2 100644
--- a/source3/utils/smbpasswd.c
+++ b/source3/utils/smbpasswd.c
@@ -94,10 +94,12 @@ static int process_options(int argc, char **argv, int local_flags)
 	while ((ch = getopt(argc, argv, "c:axdehminjr:sw:R:D:U:LW")) != EOF) {
 		switch(ch) {
 		case 'L':
+#if 0
 			if (getuid() != 0) {
 				fprintf(stderr, "smbpasswd -L can only be used by root.\n");
 				exit(1);
 			}
+#endif
 			local_flags |= LOCAL_AM_ROOT;
 			break;
 		case 'c':