diff --git a/.gitlab-ci.yml b/.gitlab-ci.yml
index df85a76b33..2f93f784bc 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -134,13 +134,23 @@ autoconf: &autoconf_job
     untracked: true
     expire_in: "1 hour"
 
+.setup_interfaces: &setup_interfaces |
+    if [ "$(id -u)" -eq "0" ]; then
+      bash -x bin/tests/system/ifconfig.sh up;
+    else
+      sudo bash -x bin/tests/system/ifconfig.sh up;
+    fi
+
+.setup_softhsm: &setup_softhsm |
+    bash -x util/prepare-softhsm2.sh
+
 .system_test: &system_test_job
   <<: *default_triggering_rules
   stage: test
   retry: 2
   before_script:
-    - bash -x bin/tests/system/ifconfig.sh up
-    - bash -x util/prepare-softhsm2.sh
+    - *setup_interfaces
+    - *setup_softhsm
   script:
     - ( cd bin/tests && make -j${TEST_PARALLEL_JOBS:-1} -k test V=1 )
     - test -s bin/tests/system/systests.output