diff --git a/utils/annotator.pl b/utils/annotator.pl
index 94b84a2..0208831 100755
--- a/utils/annotator.pl
+++ b/utils/annotator.pl
@@ -140,6 +140,8 @@ GetOptions(
xlog "annotator $$ starting";
Cassandane::AnnotatorDaemon->run(
pid_file => $pidfile,
- port => $port
+ port => $port,
+ user => (getpwuid($<))[0],
+ group => (getgrgid($())[0],
);
xlog "annotator $$ exiting";