diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 3427e5a..58dd2fb 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 DO         := ./build/utils.sh
 SET_CONFIG := $(DO) set-config
 DESTDIR    ?= /
+MAYBE_SUDO := ''
 
 define colorecho
 	@tput setaf 118 || true
@@ -16,6 +17,10 @@ decorated    := True
 stays_on_top := False
 endif
 
+ifeq ($(DESTDIR),/)
+MAYBE_SUDO := sudo
+endif
+
 
 # Configuration: Use values from command line if provided, default values otherwise.
 at_spi_service        ?= True
@@ -59,7 +64,7 @@ clean:
 	$(DO) clean
 
 install: build
-	sudo $(DO) install $(DESTDIR)
+	$(MAYBE_SUDO) $(DO) install $(DESTDIR)
 	$(call colorecho, SUCCESS!)