diff --git a/disko-install b/disko-install
index 55fa50a..21c1803 100755
--- a/disko-install
+++ b/disko-install
@@ -90,7 +90,6 @@ parseArgs() {
         exit 1
         ;;
       esac
-      mode=$2
       shift
       ;;
     --extra-files)
@@ -155,6 +154,12 @@ main() {
     exit 1
   fi
 
+  # check if we are root
+  if [[ "$EUID" -ne 0 ]]; then
+    echo "This script must be run as root" >&2
+    exit 1
+  fi
+
   if [[ $flake =~ ^(.*)\#([^\#\"]*)$ ]]; then
     flake="${BASH_REMATCH[1]}"
     flakeAttr="${BASH_REMATCH[2]}"