diff --git a/libraries/entropy/client/interfaces/methods.py b/libraries/entropy/client/interfaces/methods.py
index 201929b3e..479fb8b1f 100644
--- a/libraries/entropy/client/interfaces/methods.py
+++ b/libraries/entropy/client/interfaces/methods.py
@@ -174,8 +174,9 @@ class RepositoryMixin:
             )
 
         if (repoid not in etpConst['client_treeupdatescalled']) and \
-            (self.entropyTools.is_user_in_entropy_group()) and \
+            (self.entropyTools.is_root()) and \
             (not repoid.endswith(etpConst['packagesext'])):
+                # only as root due to Portage
                 updated = False
                 try:
                     updated = conn.clientUpdatePackagesData(self.clientDbconn)
diff --git a/libraries/entropy/client/interfaces/repository.py b/libraries/entropy/client/interfaces/repository.py
index 7551af1d5..347d0ea70 100644
--- a/libraries/entropy/client/interfaces/repository.py
+++ b/libraries/entropy/client/interfaces/repository.py
@@ -1027,7 +1027,8 @@ class Repository:
             if self.fetchSecurity:
                 self.do_update_security_advisories()
             # do treeupdates
-            if isinstance(self.Entropy.clientDbconn,LocalRepository):
+            if isinstance(self.Entropy.clientDbconn, LocalRepository) and \
+                self.entropyTools.is_root(): # only as root due to Portage
                 for repo in self.reponames:
                     dbc = self.Entropy.open_repository(repo)
                     dbc.clientUpdatePackagesData(self.Entropy.clientDbconn)