diff --git a/internal/controller/datamovement_controller.go b/internal/controller/datamovement_controller.go
index 32385904..771883bf 100644
--- a/internal/controller/datamovement_controller.go
+++ b/internal/controller/datamovement_controller.go
@@ -896,8 +896,9 @@ func createDestinationDir(profile *nnfv1alpha2.NnfDataMovementProfile, dm *nnfv1
 		return nil
 	}
 
+	// TODO mkdir command?
 	// Use setpriv to create the directory with the specified UID/GID
-	cmd := fmt.Sprintf("mpirun --hostfile %s -- setpriv --euid %d --egid %d --clear-groups mkdir -p %s",
+	cmd := fmt.Sprintf("mpirun --allow-run-as-root --hostfile %s -- setpriv --euid %d --egid %d --clear-groups mkdir -p %s",
 		mpiHostfile, dm.Spec.UserId, dm.Spec.GroupId, dest)
 	output, err := command.Run(cmd, log)
 	if err != nil {