diff --git a/src/virtManager/host.py b/src/virtManager/host.py
index 00962e47e..95d402789 100644
--- a/src/virtManager/host.py
+++ b/src/virtManager/host.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ import gtk.glade
 import libvirt
 import sparkline
 import logging
+import os
 
 from virtManager.createnet import vmmCreateNetwork
 
@@ -77,6 +78,11 @@ class vmmHost(gobject.GObject):
         self.conn.connect("net-added", self.repopulate_networks)
         self.conn.connect("net-removed", self.repopulate_networks)
 
+        # XXX not technically correct once we enable remote management
+        if os.getuid() != 0:
+            self.window.get_widget("net-add").set_sensitive(False)
+
+
         self.window.signal_autoconnect({
             "on_menu_file_close_activate": self.close,
             "on_vmm_host_delete_event": self.close,