diff --git a/include/image.mk b/include/image.mk
index 8f55627390..84b46f256c 100644
--- a/include/image.mk
+++ b/include/image.mk
@@ -277,7 +277,7 @@ endif
 
 ifdef CONFIG_TARGET_ROOTFS_CPIOGZ
   define Image/Build/cpiogz
-	( cd $(TARGET_DIR); find . | cpio -o -H newc | gzip -9n >$(BIN_DIR)/$(IMG_PREFIX)-rootfs.cpio.gz )
+	( cd $(TARGET_DIR); find . | cpio -o -H newc -R root:root | gzip -9n >$(BIN_DIR)/$(IMG_PREFIX)-rootfs.cpio.gz )
   endef
 endif