diff --git a/zabbix_agent.sh b/zabbix_agent.sh
index 9ccbad3..db7615a 100644
--- a/zabbix_agent.sh
+++ b/zabbix_agent.sh
@@ -2,6 +2,12 @@
 
 # installs the zabbix agent and configures it
 
+# make sure we are running as sudo
+if [ "$EUID" -ne 0 ]; then
+  echo "Please run as root"
+  exit
+fi
+
 # create temp directory for downloaded files
 DIRECTORY="/tmp/zabbix_install"
 mkdir ${DIRECTORY}