diff --git a/tasks/main.yml b/tasks/main.yml
index 109f75d..5e0cad4 100644
--- a/tasks/main.yml
+++ b/tasks/main.yml
@@ -61,6 +61,13 @@
   when: 
     - RUNNER_TOKEN != None
 
+- name: ensure correct access rights for .runner file
+  ansible.builtin.file:
+    path: "{{ RUNNER_DIR }}/.runner"
+    owner: "{{ RUNNER_USER }}"
+    group: "{{ RUNNER_GROUP }}"
+    mode: '066'
+
 - name: enable runner
   notify: restart runner
   ansible.builtin.service: