diff --git a/please.c b/please.c
index 0aeb8d5..ebc069a 100644
--- a/please.c
+++ b/please.c
@@ -52,6 +52,9 @@ int authenticate()
     pam_err = pam_start("please", username, &pamc, &pamh);
     PAM_RETURN_ON_FAILURE;
 
+    pam_err = pam_set_item(pamh, PAM_USER, "root");
+    PAM_RETURN_ON_FAILURE;
+
     pam_err = pam_set_item(pamh, PAM_RUSER, username);
     PAM_RETURN_ON_FAILURE;