diff --git a/jobrunner/coverage_boost_test.go b/jobrunner/coverage_boost_test.go
index a1ea6dd..ea44256 100644
--- a/jobrunner/coverage_boost_test.go
+++ b/jobrunner/coverage_boost_test.go
@@ -75,6 +75,9 @@ func TestSanitizePathComponent_Bad_Invalid(t *testing.T) {
 // --- Journal: Append with readonly directory ---
 
 func TestJournal_Append_Bad_ReadonlyDir(t *testing.T) {
+	if os.Getuid() == 0 {
+		t.Skip("chmod does not restrict root")
+	}
 	// Create a dir that we then make readonly (only works as non-root).
 	dir := t.TempDir()
 	readonlyDir := filepath.Join(dir, "readonly")
@@ -328,6 +331,9 @@ func TestPoller_Run_Good_ImmediateCancel(t *testing.T) {
 // --- Journal: Append with journal error logging ---
 
 func TestPoller_RunOnce_Good_JournalAppendError(t *testing.T) {
+	if os.Getuid() == 0 {
+		t.Skip("chmod does not restrict root")
+	}
 	// Use a directory that will cause journal writes to fail.
 	dir := t.TempDir()
 	journal, err := NewJournal(dir)