--- a/default_options.h
+++ b/default_options.h
@@ -291,5 +291,6 @@ be overridden at runtime with -I. 0 disa
 
 /* The default path. This will often get replaced by the shell */
 #define DEFAULT_PATH "/usr/bin:/bin"
+#define DEFAULT_ROOT_PATH "/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/sbin:/bin"
 
 #endif /* DROPBEAR_DEFAULT_OPTIONS_H_ */
--- a/svr-chansession.c
+++ b/svr-chansession.c
@@ -961,7 +961,11 @@ static void execchild(const void *user_d
 	addnewvar("LOGNAME", ses.authstate.pw_name);
 	addnewvar("HOME", ses.authstate.pw_dir);
 	addnewvar("SHELL", get_user_shell());
-	addnewvar("PATH", DEFAULT_PATH);
+	if (getuid() == 0) {
+	    addnewvar("PATH", DEFAULT_ROOT_PATH); 
+	} else {
+	    addnewvar("PATH", DEFAULT_PATH); 
+	}
 	if (chansess->term != NULL) {
 		addnewvar("TERM", chansess->term);
 	}