diff --git a/servers/slapd/back-bdb/modify.c b/servers/slapd/back-bdb/modify.c
index 08d0a5d8c7..22b1f96901 100644
--- a/servers/slapd/back-bdb/modify.c
+++ b/servers/slapd/back-bdb/modify.c
@@ -381,7 +381,9 @@ retry:	/* transaction retry */
 		}
 	}
 
-	e = ei->bei_e;
+	if ( !fakeroot ) {
+		e = ei->bei_e;
+	}
 
 	/* acquire and lock entry */
 	/* FIXME: dn2entry() should return non-glue entry */