diff --git a/scripts/pre_test_root_password b/scripts/pre_test_root_password
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..b9520fa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/pre_test_root_password
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+# Origin: custom-scripts/scripts/pre_test_root_password from
+#         git://anonscm.debian.org/piuparts/piuparts.git
+
+set -e
+
+# sudo refuses removal if no root password is set, so set one
+# do this unconditionally, as there are quite some packages depending on sudo
+# (and since its harmless and fast)
+yes "yes" 2>/dev/null | passwd