diff --git a/tools/update-prod-static b/tools/update-prod-static
index c368b61a15..3e0b342673 100755
--- a/tools/update-prod-static
+++ b/tools/update-prod-static
@@ -16,7 +16,9 @@ from django.conf import settings
 # check for the venv
 from lib import sanity_check
 from scripts.lib.node_cache import setup_node_modules
-from scripts.lib.zulip_tools import run
+from scripts.lib.zulip_tools import assert_not_running_as_root, run
+
+assert_not_running_as_root()
 
 sanity_check.check_venv(__file__)