diff --git a/core/privilege-helper.cpp b/core/privilege-helper.cpp
index 93b7142..ba3da78 100644
--- a/core/privilege-helper.cpp
+++ b/core/privilege-helper.cpp
@@ -131,7 +131,9 @@
       s_normalUid = passwd.pw_uid;
     }
 #else
-  throw Error("Dropping and raising privileges is not supported on this platform");
+  if (!userName.empty() || !groupName.empty()) {
+    throw Error("Dropping and raising privileges is not supported on this platform");
+  }
 #endif // HAVE_PRIVILEGE_DROP_AND_ELEVATE
 }