diff --git a/pilot/utils/arguments.py b/pilot/utils/arguments.py
index b1f9b92..d0902d2 100644
--- a/pilot/utils/arguments.py
+++ b/pilot/utils/arguments.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import os
 import re
+import getpass
 import sys
 import uuid
 
@@ -38,7 +39,7 @@ def get_arguments():
         arguments['app_id'] = str(uuid.uuid4())
 
     if 'user_id' not in arguments:
-        arguments['user_id'] = str(uuid.uuid4())
+        arguments['user_id'] = getpass.getuser()
 
     if 'email' not in arguments:
         arguments['email'] = get_email()