diff --git a/src/bin/system/e_system_main.c b/src/bin/system/e_system_main.c
index 0243c2602..7c61d364d 100644
--- a/src/bin/system/e_system_main.c
+++ b/src/bin/system/e_system_main.c
@@ -201,7 +201,11 @@ setuid_setup(void)
      }
 
    // change CWD to / to avoid path search dlopens finding libs in ./
-   chdir("/");
+   if (chdir("/") != 0)
+     {
+        ERR("Unable to change working dir to /\n");
+        exit(1);
+     }
 
    // die with parent - special as this is setuid
 #ifdef HAVE_PRCTL