diff --git a/tools/build-docker-image b/tools/build-docker-image
index da819dde31..06e95a326c 100755
--- a/tools/build-docker-image
+++ b/tools/build-docker-image
@@ -1,5 +1,10 @@
 #!/bin/bash
 
+if [[ $EUID -eq 0 ]]; then
+    echo "This script must not be run as root.  Instead add yourself to the docker group." 1>&2
+    exit 1
+fi
+
 TOPDIR=$(git rev-parse --show-toplevel)
 IMGDIR="$(cd "$(dirname "$0")" && pwd)"