diff --git a/rvctl.py b/rvctl.py
index bc50725..292ad3d 100755
--- a/rvctl.py
+++ b/rvctl.py
@@ -3441,6 +3441,9 @@ def build_container_command(
         "-v",
         f"{card_path_text}:{card_path_text}",
     ]
+    for identity_file in ["/etc/passwd", "/etc/group"]:
+        if Path(identity_file).is_file():
+            compose_args.extend(["-v", f"{identity_file}:{identity_file}:ro"])
     shell_args = [service, "shell"]
     if shell_rcfile.is_file():
         compose_args.extend(["-v", f"{shell_rcfile}:/tmp/rv-shell.bashrc:ro"])