diff --git a/Library/Homebrew/language/node.rb b/Library/Homebrew/language/node.rb
index 4ae81f0bc0..75d61f8a4e 100644
--- a/Library/Homebrew/language/node.rb
+++ b/Library/Homebrew/language/node.rb
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ module Language
       pack = pack_for_installation
 
       # npm install args for global style module format installed into libexec
-      %W[
+      args = %W[
         -ddd
         --global
         --build-from-source
@@ -49,6 +49,10 @@ module Language
         --prefix=#{libexec}
         #{Dir.pwd}/#{pack}
       ]
+
+      args << "--unsafe-perm" if Process.uid.zero?
+
+      args
     end
 
     def self.local_npm_install_args