diff --git a/bin/emqx b/bin/emqx
index f24210cdf..5b61042d7 100755
--- a/bin/emqx
+++ b/bin/emqx
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ RUNNER_SCRIPT="$RUNNER_BIN_DIR/$REL_NAME"
 CODE_LOADING_MODE="${CODE_LOADING_MODE:-embedded}"
 REL_DIR="$RUNNER_ROOT_DIR/releases/$REL_VSN"
 
-WHOAMI=$(whoami)
+WHOAMI=$(whoami 2>/dev/null || id -u)
 
 # hocon try to read environment variables starting with "EMQX_"
 export HOCON_ENV_OVERRIDE_PREFIX='EMQX_'