diff --git a/src/etc/rc.initial.password b/src/etc/rc.initial.password
index d96a03252..227783dcb 100755
--- a/src/etc/rc.initial.password
+++ b/src/etc/rc.initial.password
@@ -31,6 +31,19 @@
 require_once('config.inc');
 require_once('auth.inc');
 
+$password = isset($argv[1]) ? $argv[1] : '';
+$confirm = isset($argv[2]) ? $argv[2] : '';
+
+if (!empty($password) && $password === $confirm) {
+     /* the installer needs this code to change the password */
+     $admin_user = &getUserEntryByUID(0);
+     if ($admin_user) {
+         local_user_set_password($admin_user, $password);
+         write_config('Root user reset from console');
+     }
+     exit(0);
+}
+
 $fp = fopen('php://stdin', 'r');
 
 echo "The root user login behaviour will be restored to its defaults.\n\nDo you want to proceed? [y/N]: ";
@@ -88,6 +101,6 @@ if ($password !== $confirm) {
 local_user_set_password($admin_user, $password);
 local_user_set($admin_user);
 
-write_config('Root user reset from console menu');
+write_config('Root user reset from console');
 
 echo "\nThe root user has been reset successfully.\n";