diff --git a/src/lxc/cmd/lxc_usernsexec.c b/src/lxc/cmd/lxc_usernsexec.c
index 5c12dad3b..c22a33bb4 100644
--- a/src/lxc/cmd/lxc_usernsexec.c
+++ b/src/lxc/cmd/lxc_usernsexec.c
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ static int do_child(void *vargv)
 	int ret;
 	char **argv = (char **)vargv;
 
-	if (!lxc_setgroups(0, NULL))
+	if (!lxc_setgroups(0, NULL) && errno != EPERM)
 		return -1;
 
 	/* Assume we want to become root */