diff --git a/tools/helpers/flashall b/tools/helpers/flashall
index bd3d350..1951818 100644
--- a/tools/helpers/flashall
+++ b/tools/helpers/flashall
@@ -3,7 +3,8 @@
 # reboot the modem into fastboot mode
 # flash kernel + rootfs and reboot
 echo "Sending AT+QFASTBOOT..."
-sudo sh -c 'echo -ne "AT+QFASTBOOT\r" > /dev/ttyUSB2'
+if [ $(id -u) -ne 0 ] ; then echo "This script must be run as root!" ; exit 1 ; fi
+sh -c 'echo -ne "AT+QFASTBOOT\r" > /dev/ttyUSB2'
 fastboot oem stay
 fastboot flash aboot appsboot.mbn || exit "Failed to flash the bootloader"
 fastboot reboot 
@@ -15,4 +16,4 @@ fastboot flash:raw recovery boot-mdm9607.img || exit "Failed to flash recovery k
 fastboot flash system rootfs-mdm9607.ubi || exit "Failed to flash the system partition"
 fastboot flash recoveryfs recoveryfs.ubi || exit "Failed to flash the recovery partition"
 fastboot reboot
-echo "Done!"
\ No newline at end of file
+echo "Done!"