diff --git a/mysql-test/mysql-test-run.pl b/mysql-test/mysql-test-run.pl
index a2ea36aa34e..07797410188 100755
--- a/mysql-test/mysql-test-run.pl
+++ b/mysql-test/mysql-test-run.pl
@@ -1482,6 +1482,12 @@ sub collect_mysqld_features {
   mtr_add_arg($args, "--verbose");
   mtr_add_arg($args, "--help");
 
+  # Need --user=root if running as *nix root user
+  if (!IS_WINDOWS and $> == 0)
+  {
+    mtr_add_arg($args, "--user=root");
+  }
+
   my $exe_mysqld= find_mysqld($basedir);
   my $cmd= join(" ", $exe_mysqld, @$args);
   my $list= `$cmd`;