diff --git a/tools/perf/builtin-annotate.c b/tools/perf/builtin-annotate.c
index 4ac618b..4c7bc44 100644
--- a/tools/perf/builtin-annotate.c
+++ b/tools/perf/builtin-annotate.c
@@ -984,8 +984,8 @@
 		exit(-1);
 	}
 
-	if (!force && (input_stat.st_uid != geteuid())) {
-		fprintf(stderr, "file: %s not owned by current user\n", input_name);
+	if (!force && input_stat.st_uid && (input_stat.st_uid != geteuid())) {
+		fprintf(stderr, "file: %s not owned by current user or root\n", input_name);
 		exit(-1);
 	}