diff --git a/src/etc/inc/auth.inc b/src/etc/inc/auth.inc
index b53271fb5..cdef6c865 100644
--- a/src/etc/inc/auth.inc
+++ b/src/etc/inc/auth.inc
@@ -413,7 +413,7 @@ function local_sync_accounts()
             foreach ($data as $record) {
                 $line = explode(':', $record);
                 // filter system managed users and groups
-                if (count($line) < 3 ||  !strncmp($line[0], '_', 1) || $line[2] < 2000 || $line[2] > 65000) {
+                if (count($line) < 3 ||  !strncmp($line[0], '_', 1) || ($line[2] < 2000 && $line[0] != 'root') || $line[2] > 65000) {
                     continue;
                 }
                 $current_data[$section][$line[2]] = $line;