diff --git a/src/wuttafarm/web/views/common.py b/src/wuttafarm/web/views/common.py
index 1c88f2b..cd68b78 100644
--- a/src/wuttafarm/web/views/common.py
+++ b/src/wuttafarm/web/views/common.py
@@ -45,6 +45,9 @@ class CommonView(base.CommonView):
         farm_viewer = auth.get_role_farm_viewer(session)
         farm_viewer.notes = "this is meant to mirror the corresponding role in farmOS"
 
+        # create system user to represent farmOS
+        auth.make_user(session, username="farmos", prevent_edit=True)
+
         site_admin = session.query(model.Role).filter_by(name="Site Admin").first()
         if site_admin:
             site_admin_perms = [