diff --git a/tools/testing/selftests/firmware/fw_lib.sh b/tools/testing/selftests/firmware/fw_lib.sh
index b879305a766d..5b8c0fedee76 100755
--- a/tools/testing/selftests/firmware/fw_lib.sh
+++ b/tools/testing/selftests/firmware/fw_lib.sh
@@ -34,6 +34,12 @@ test_modprobe()
 
 check_mods()
 {
+	local uid=$(id -u)
+	if [ $uid -ne 0 ]; then
+		echo "skip all tests: must be run as root" >&2
+		exit $ksft_skip
+	fi
+
 	trap "test_modprobe" EXIT
 	if [ ! -d $DIR ]; then
 		modprobe test_firmware