diff --git a/roles/bodhi2/base/tasks/main.yml b/roles/bodhi2/base/tasks/main.yml
index e6ac669b93..34a7d8b419 100644
--- a/roles/bodhi2/base/tasks/main.yml
+++ b/roles/bodhi2/base/tasks/main.yml
@@ -9,6 +9,15 @@
     owner: root
     group: root
 
+- name: create the bodhi user
+  user:
+    name: bodhi
+    group: bodhi
+    comment: Bodhi Server
+    shell: /sbin/nologin
+    home: /usr/share/bodhi
+    system: yes
+
 - name: Configure alembic
   template:
     src: alembic.ini