diff --git a/hikey.mk b/hikey.mk
index 765672a60f4554c2bf9d80700b473f212633dbd3..c1da02b01a74945b4eda67c813332a360dd98b43 100644
--- a/hikey.mk
+++ b/hikey.mk
@@ -380,10 +380,16 @@ endef
 .PHONY: recovery
 recovery:
 	@echo "Enter recovery mode to flash a new bootloader"
+	@echo
+	@echo "Make sure udev permissions are set appropriately:"
+	@echo "  # /etc/udev/rules.d/hikey.rules"
+	@echo '  SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="18d1", ATTRS{idProduct}=="d00d", MODE="0666"'
+	@echo '  SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="12d1", MODE="0666", ENV{ID_MM_DEVICE_IGNORE}="1"'
+	@echo
 	@echo "Jumper 1-2: Closed (Auto power up = Boot up when power is applied)"
 	@echo "       3-4: Closed (Boot Select = Recovery: program eMMC from USB OTG)"
 	$(call flash_help)
-	sudo python $(ROOT)/burn-boot/hisi-idt.py --img1=$(LLOADER_PATH)/l-loader.bin
+	python $(ROOT)/burn-boot/hisi-idt.py --img1=$(LLOADER_PATH)/l-loader.bin
 	@$(MAKE) --no-print flash FROM_RECOVERY=1
 
 .PHONY: flash