diff --git a/roles/copr/backend/templates/copr-be.conf.j2 b/roles/copr/backend/templates/copr-be.conf.j2
index 01797ec024..bbd02c116c 100644
--- a/roles/copr/backend/templates/copr-be.conf.j2
+++ b/roles/copr/backend/templates/copr-be.conf.j2
@@ -82,6 +82,7 @@ prune_days=14
 # nothing is in queue
 
 spawn_in_advance={{ spawn_in_advance }}
+build_user=root
 
 [builder]
 # default is 1800