diff --git a/wlauto/common/linux/device.py b/wlauto/common/linux/device.py
index 272d5ec1..b3eb4822 100644
--- a/wlauto/common/linux/device.py
+++ b/wlauto/common/linux/device.py
@@ -598,6 +598,7 @@ class LinuxDevice(BaseLinuxDevice):
 
     @property
     def is_rooted(self):
+        self._check_ready()
         if self._is_rooted is None:
             # First check if the user is root
             try:
diff --git a/wlauto/instrumentation/poller/__init__.py b/wlauto/instrumentation/poller/__init__.py
index 93b57a9a..0c5baca9 100644
--- a/wlauto/instrumentation/poller/__init__.py
+++ b/wlauto/instrumentation/poller/__init__.py
@@ -48,12 +48,12 @@ class FilePoller(Instrument):
     ]
 
     def validate(self):
-        if not self.device.is_rooted and self.as_root:
-            raise ConfigError('The device is not rooted, cannot run poller as root.')
         if self.labels and any(['*' in f for f in self.files]):
             raise ConfigError('You cannot used manual labels with `*` wildcards')
 
     def initialize(self, context):
+        if not self.device.is_rooted and self.as_root:
+            raise ConfigError('The device is not rooted, cannot run poller as root.')
         host_poller = context.resolver.get(Executable(self, self.device.abi,
                                                       "poller"))
         target_poller = self.device.install_if_needed(host_poller)