diff --git a/packaging/debian-multiarch/sogo.init b/packaging/debian-multiarch/sogo.init
index 2c503bfd1..d12d9612e 100644
--- a/packaging/debian-multiarch/sogo.init
+++ b/packaging/debian-multiarch/sogo.init
@@ -71,6 +71,7 @@ case "$1" in
 	then
 	    log_progress_msg "already running"
         fi
+        chown root:root $PIDFILE
 	log_end_msg 0
 	;;
   stop)
diff --git a/packaging/debian/sogo.init b/packaging/debian/sogo.init
index 2c503bfd1..47a7e9c3b 100644
--- a/packaging/debian/sogo.init
+++ b/packaging/debian/sogo.init
@@ -71,6 +71,7 @@ case "$1" in
 	then
 	    log_progress_msg "already running"
         fi
+	chown root:root $PIDFILE
 	log_end_msg 0
 	;;
   stop)