diff --git a/python/lib/cloudutils/serviceConfig.py b/python/lib/cloudutils/serviceConfig.py
index 24e78dab54b..256866b45e9 100755
--- a/python/lib/cloudutils/serviceConfig.py
+++ b/python/lib/cloudutils/serviceConfig.py
@@ -667,6 +667,9 @@ class ubuntuFirewallConfigServer(firewallConfigServer):
         try:
             for port in self.ports:
                 self.allowPort(port)
+            
+            #FIXME: urgly make /root writable 
+            bash("sudo chmod 0777 /root")
                 
             return True
         except: