diff --git a/chkconfig.8 b/chkconfig.8
index b677b844..1f27abc8 100644
--- a/chkconfig.8
+++ b/chkconfig.8
@@ -4,17 +4,17 @@
 chkconfig \- updates and queries runlevel information for system services
 
 .SH SYNOPSIS
-\fBchkconfig\fR [\fB--list\fR] [\fB--type\fR \fItype\fR] [\fIname\fR]
+\fBchkconfig\fR [\fB--root\fR \fIpath\fR] [\fB--list\fR] [\fB--type\fR \fItype\fR] [\fIname\fR]
 .br
-\fBchkconfig\fR \fB--add\fR \fIname\fR
+\fBchkconfig\fR [\fB--root\fR \fIpath\fR] \fB--add\fR \fIname\fR
 .br
-\fBchkconfig\fR \fB--del\fR \fIname\fR
+\fBchkconfig\fR [\fB--root\fR \fIpath\fR] \fB--del\fR \fIname\fR
 .br
-\fBchkconfig\fR \fB--override\fR \fIname\fR
+\fBchkconfig\fR [\fB--root\fR \fIpath\fR] \fB--override\fR \fIname\fR
 .br
-\fBchkconfig\fR [\fB--level\fR \fIlevels\fR] [\fB--type\fR \fItype\fR] [\fB--no-redirect\fR] \fIname\fR <\fBon\fR|\fBoff\fR|\fBreset\fR|\fBresetpriorities\fR>
+\fBchkconfig\fR [\fB--level\fR \fIlevels\fR] [\fB--root\fR \fIpath\fR] [\fB--type\fR \fItype\fR] [\fB--no-redirect\fR] \fIname\fR <\fBon\fR|\fBoff\fR|\fBreset\fR|\fBresetpriorities\fR>
 .br
-\fBchkconfig\fR [\fB--level\fR \fIlevels\fR] [\fB--type\fR \fItype\fR] [\fB--no-redirect\fR] \fIname\fR 
+\fBchkconfig\fR [\fB--level\fR \fIlevels\fR] [\fB--root\fR \fIpath\fR] [\fB--type\fR \fItype\fR] [\fB--no-redirect\fR] \fIname\fR 
 .br
 
 .SH DESCRIPTION
@@ -80,6 +80,11 @@ Specifies the run levels an operation should pertain to. It is given as
 a string of numbers from 0 to 6. For example, \fB--level 35\fR specifies
 runlevels 3 and 5.
 
+.TP
+\fB-\-root \fIpath\fR
+When used with on/off, use alternative root path when looking for unit 
+files same as by \fBsystemctl\fR.
+
 .TP
 \fB-\-no-redirect\fR
 When chkconfig is run on a system that uses systemd as its init system,
diff --git a/chkconfig.c b/chkconfig.c
index 96646606..ce9b7ebe 100644
--- a/chkconfig.c
+++ b/chkconfig.c
@@ -44,18 +44,18 @@ static void usage(char *name) {
                       "the GNU Public License.\n"));
     fprintf(stderr, "\n");
     if (!strcmp(name, "install_initd") || !strcmp(name, "remove_initd")) {
-        fprintf(stderr, _("usage:   %s [name]\n"), progname);
+        fprintf(stderr, _("usage:   %s [name] [--root <path>]\n"), progname);
     } else if (!strcmp(name, "systemd-sysv-install")) {
-        fprintf(stderr, _("usage:   %s <enable|disable|is-enabled> [name] \n"),
+        fprintf(stderr, _("usage:   %s <enable|disable|is-enabled> [name] [--root <path>] \n"),
                 progname);
     } else {
-        fprintf(stderr, _("usage:   %s [--list] [--type <type>] [name]\n"),
+        fprintf(stderr, _("usage:   %s [--list] [--root <path>] [--type <type>] [name]\n"),
                 progname);
-        fprintf(stderr, _("         %s --add <name>\n"), progname);
-        fprintf(stderr, _("         %s --del <name>\n"), progname);
-        fprintf(stderr, _("         %s --override <name>\n"), progname);
+        fprintf(stderr, _("         %s --add <name> [--root <path>]\n"), progname);
+        fprintf(stderr, _("         %s --del <name> [--root <path>]\n"), progname);
+        fprintf(stderr, _("         %s --override <name> [--root <path>]\n"), progname);
         fprintf(stderr,
-                _("         %s [--level <levels>] [--type <type>] <name> %s\n"),
+                _("         %s [--level <levels>] [--root <path>] [--type <type>] <name> %s\n"),
                 progname, "<on|off|reset|resetpriorities>");
     }
     exit(1);
@@ -106,13 +106,13 @@ static void reloadSystemd(void) {
         system("systemctl daemon-reload > /dev/null 2>&1");
 }
 
-static int delService(char *name, int type, int level) {
+static int delService(char *name, int type, int level, char *root_path) {
     int i, j, k, numservs, rc;
     glob_t globres;
     struct service s;
     struct service *services;
 
-    if ((rc = readServiceInfo(name, type, &s, 0))) {
+    if ((rc = readServiceInfo(name, type, &s, 0, root_path))) {
         readServiceError(rc, name);
         return 1;
     }
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ static int delService(char *name, int type, int level) {
     checkRoot();
 
     if (LSB && level == -1) {
-        numservs = readServices(&services);
+        numservs = readServices(&services, root_path);
         if (numservs < 0)
             return 1;
 
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ static void checkDeps(struct service *s, struct dep *deps, struct service *serv,
 }
 
 static int frobOneDependencies(struct service *s, struct service *servs,
-                               int numservs, int target, int depfail) {
+                               int numservs, int target, int depfail, char *root_path) {
     int i;
     int s0 = s->sPriority;
     int k0 = s->kPriority;
@@ -274,12 +274,12 @@ static int frobOneDependencies(struct service *s, struct service *servs,
                 int new_priority = on ? s->sPriority : s->kPriority;
 
                 if (new_priority != priority || (on ? 'S' : 'K') != type) {
-                    delService(s->name, TYPE_INIT_D, i);
-                    doSetService(*s, i, on);
+                    delService(s->name, TYPE_INIT_D, i, root_path);
+                    doSetService(*s, i, on, root_path);
                 }
             } else if (target) {
-                delService(s->name, TYPE_INIT_D, i);
-                doSetService(*s, i, ((1 << i) & s->levels));
+                delService(s->name, TYPE_INIT_D, i, root_path);
+                doSetService(*s, i, ((1 << i) & s->levels), root_path);
             }
         }
         return 1; /* Resolved something */
@@ -290,13 +290,13 @@ static int frobOneDependencies(struct service *s, struct service *servs,
 /* LSB-style dependency frobber. Calculates a usable start priority
  * and stop priority.
  * This algorithm will almost certainly break horribly at some point. */
-static int frobDependencies(struct service *s) {
+static int frobDependencies(struct service *s, char *root_path) {
     struct service *servs = NULL;
     int numservs = 0;
     int nResolved = 0;
     int i;
 
-    numservs = readServices(&servs);
+    numservs = readServices(&servs, root_path);
     if (numservs < 0)
         return 1;
     /* In the full service list, replace the target script's current
@@ -313,21 +313,21 @@ static int frobDependencies(struct service *s) {
         for (i = 0; i < numservs; i++) {
             if ((servs + i)->isLSB)
                 nResolved +=
-                    frobOneDependencies(servs + i, servs, numservs, 0, 0);
+                    frobOneDependencies(servs + i, servs, numservs, 0, 0, root_path);
         }
     } while (nResolved);
 
     /* Resolve our target */
-    if (frobOneDependencies(s, servs, numservs, 1, LSB) == -1)
+    if (frobOneDependencies(s, servs, numservs, 1, LSB, root_path) == -1)
         return 1;
     return 0;
 }
 
-static int addService(char *name, int type) {
+static int addService(char *name, int type, char *root_path) {
     int i, rc;
     struct service s;
 
-    if ((rc = readServiceInfo(name, type, &s, 0))) {
+    if ((rc = readServiceInfo(name, type, &s, 0, root_path))) {
         readServiceError(rc, name);
         return 1;
     }
@@ -344,21 +344,21 @@ static int addService(char *name, int type) {
         if (i == 7) {
             s.currentLevels = s.levels;
         }
-        rc = frobDependencies(&s);
+        rc = frobDependencies(&s, root_path);
     } else
         for (i = 0; i < 7; i++) {
             if (!isConfigured(name, i, NULL, NULL)) {
                 if ((1 << i) & s.levels)
-                    doSetService(s, i, 1);
+                    doSetService(s, i, 1, root_path);
                 else
-                    doSetService(s, i, 0);
+                    doSetService(s, i, 0, root_path);
             }
         }
 
     return rc;
 }
 
-static int overrideService(char *name, int srvtype) {
+static int overrideService(char *name, int srvtype, char *root_path) {
     /* Apply overrides if available; no available overrides is no error */
     int level, i, rc;
     glob_t globres;
@@ -370,7 +370,7 @@ static int overrideService(char *name, int srvtype) {
     int configured = 0;
     int thisLevelAdded, thisLevelOn;
 
-    if ((rc = readServiceDifferences(name, srvtype, &s, &o, 0))) {
+    if ((rc = readServiceDifferences(name, srvtype, &s, &o, 0, root_path))) {
         return 0;
     }
 
@@ -386,9 +386,9 @@ static int overrideService(char *name, int srvtype) {
     }
 
     if (s.isLSB && (s.sPriority <= -1) && (s.kPriority >= 100))
-        frobDependencies(&s);
+        frobDependencies(&s, root_path);
     if ((s.isLSB || o.isLSB) && (o.sPriority <= -1) && (o.kPriority >= 100))
-        frobDependencies(&o);
+        frobDependencies(&o, root_path);
 
     /* Apply overrides only if the service has not been changed since
      * being added, and not if the service has never been configured
@@ -422,9 +422,9 @@ static int overrideService(char *name, int srvtype) {
                 if (globres.gl_pathc)
                     globfree(&globres);
                 if ((1 << level) & o.levels)
-                    doSetService(o, level, 1);
+                    doSetService(o, level, 1, root_path);
                 else
-                    doSetService(o, level, 0);
+                    doSetService(o, level, 0, root_path);
             }
         }
     }
@@ -466,7 +466,7 @@ static int showServiceInfo(struct service s, int forgiving) {
     return 0;
 }
 
-static int showServiceInfoByName(char *name, int type, int forgiving) {
+static int showServiceInfoByName(char *name, int type, int forgiving, char *root_path) {
     int rc;
     struct service s;
 
@@ -475,7 +475,7 @@ static int showServiceInfoByName(char *name, int type, int forgiving) {
         return forgiving ? 0 : 1;
     }
 
-    rc = readServiceInfo(name, type, &s, 0);
+    rc = readServiceInfo(name, type, &s, 0, root_path);
 
     if (rc) {
         if (!forgiving)
@@ -486,13 +486,13 @@ static int showServiceInfoByName(char *name, int type, int forgiving) {
     return showServiceInfo(s, forgiving);
 }
 
-static int isXinetdEnabled() {
+static int isXinetdEnabled(char *root_path) {
     struct service s;
 
     if (isOverriddenBySystemd("xinetd") && isEnabledInSystemd("xinetd"))
         return 1;
 
-    if (readServiceInfo("xinetd", TYPE_INIT_D, &s, 0)) {
+    if (readServiceInfo("xinetd", TYPE_INIT_D, &s, 0, root_path)) {
         return 0;
     }
     if (s.currentLevels)
@@ -511,7 +511,7 @@ static int xinetdNameCmp(const void *a, const void *b) {
     return strcmp(first->name, second->name);
 }
 
-static int listService(char *item, int type) {
+static int listService(char *item, int type, char *root_path) {
     DIR *dir;
     struct dirent *ent;
     struct service *services;
@@ -522,10 +522,10 @@ static int listService(char *item, int type) {
     int systemd = systemdActive();
 
     if (item)
-        return showServiceInfoByName(item, type, 0);
+        return showServiceInfoByName(item, type, 0, root_path);
 
     if (type & TYPE_INIT_D) {
-        numServices = readServices(&services);
+        numServices = readServices(&services, root_path);
         if (numServices < 0)
             return 1;
 
@@ -540,13 +540,19 @@ static int listService(char *item, int type) {
         }
     }
 
-    if (isXinetdEnabled() && type & TYPE_XINETD) {
+    if (isXinetdEnabled(root_path) && type & TYPE_XINETD) {
         struct service *s, *t;
+        char *filename = NULL;
 
         printf("\n");
         printf(_("xinetd based services:\n"));
+        if(root_path) {
+            sprintf(filename, "%s", root_path);
+        } else {
+            sprintf(filename, "%s", XINETDDIR);
+        }
         if (!(dir = opendir(XINETDDIR))) {
-            fprintf(stderr, _("failed to open directory %s: %s\n"), XINETDDIR,
+            fprintf(stderr, _("failed to open directory %s: %s\n"), filename,
                     strerror(err));
             return 1;
         }
@@ -575,7 +581,7 @@ static int listService(char *item, int type) {
                 numServicesAlloced += 10;
                 s = realloc(s, numServicesAlloced * sizeof(*s));
             }
-            if (readXinetdServiceInfo(ent->d_name, s + numServices) != -1)
+            if (readXinetdServiceInfo(ent->d_name, s + numServices, root_path) != -1)
                 numServices++;
         }
 
@@ -592,7 +598,7 @@ static int listService(char *item, int type) {
     return 0;
 }
 
-int setService(char *name, int type, int where, int state) {
+int setService(char *name, int type, int where, int state, char *root_path) {
     int i, rc;
     int what;
     struct service s;
@@ -605,7 +611,7 @@ int setService(char *name, int type, int where, int state) {
                 (1 << 5) | (1 << 6);
     }
 
-    if ((rc = readServiceInfo(name, type, &s, 0))) {
+    if ((rc = readServiceInfo(name, type, &s, 0, root_path))) {
         readServiceError(rc, name);
         return 1;
     }
@@ -631,7 +637,7 @@ int setService(char *name, int type, int where, int state) {
             }
         }
         if (s.isLSB)
-            frobDependencies(&s);
+            frobDependencies(&s, root_path);
         for (i = 0; i < 7; i++) {
 
             if (!((1 << i) & where))
@@ -645,14 +651,14 @@ int setService(char *name, int type, int where, int state) {
                 what = 1;
             else
                 what = 0;
-            rc |= doSetService(s, i, what);
+            rc |= doSetService(s, i, what, root_path);
         }
 
         reloadSystemd();
 
         return rc;
     } else if (s.type == TYPE_XINETD) {
-        if (setXinetdService(s, state)) {
+        if (setXinetdService(s, state, root_path)) {
             return 1;
         }
         system("/sbin/service xinetd reload >/dev/null 2>&1");
@@ -661,14 +667,19 @@ int setService(char *name, int type, int where, int state) {
     return 0;
 }
 
-void forwardSystemd(const char *name, int type, const char *verb) {
+void forwardSystemd(const char *name, int type, const char *verb, char *root_path) {
     int socket = 0;
+    char *root;
     if (type == TYPE_XINETD)
         return;
 
     if (!systemdIsInit())
         return;
 
+    if(root_path) {
+        asprintf(&root, "--root=%s", root_path);
+    }
+
     if (isOverriddenBySystemd(name) ||
         (socket = isSocketActivatedBySystemd(name))) {
         char *p;
@@ -681,7 +692,7 @@ void forwardSystemd(const char *name, int type, const char *verb) {
         fprintf(stderr, _("Note: Forwarding request to 'systemctl %s %s'.\n"),
                 verb, p);
 
-        execlp("systemctl", "systemctl", verb, p, NULL);
+        execlp("systemctl", "systemctl", verb, p, root, NULL);
         free(p);
         fprintf(stderr,
                 _("Failed to forward service request to systemctl: %m\n"));
@@ -695,6 +706,7 @@ int main(int argc, const char **argv) {
     int type = TYPE_ANY;
     int rc, i, x;
     char *levels = NULL;
+    char *root_path = NULL;
     char *typeString = NULL;
     int help = 0, version = 0;
     struct service s;
@@ -707,6 +719,7 @@ int main(int argc, const char **argv) {
         {"list", '\0', 0, &listItem, 0},
         {"level", '\0', POPT_ARG_STRING, &levels, 0},
         {"levels", '\0', POPT_ARG_STRING, &levels, 0},
+        {"root", '\0', POPT_ARG_STRING, &root_path, 0},
         {"type", '\0', POPT_ARG_STRING, &typeString, 0},
         {"help", 'h', POPT_ARG_NONE, &help, 0},
         {"version", 'v', POPT_ARG_NONE, &version, 0},
@@ -768,6 +781,12 @@ int main(int argc, const char **argv) {
         noRedirectItem = 1;
     }
 
+    if(root_path) {
+        if (*root_path != '/') {
+            usage(progname);
+        }
+    }
+
     if (addItem) {
         char *name = (char *)poptGetArg(optCon);
         int r;
@@ -776,7 +795,7 @@ int main(int argc, const char **argv) {
             usage(progname);
 
         name = basename(name);
-        r = addService(name, type);
+        r = addService(name, type, root_path);
         reloadSystemd();
 
         return r;
@@ -788,7 +807,7 @@ int main(int argc, const char **argv) {
             usage(progname);
 
         name = basename(name);
-        r = delService(name, type, -1);
+        r = delService(name, type, -1, root_path);
         reloadSystemd();
 
         return r;
@@ -800,7 +819,7 @@ int main(int argc, const char **argv) {
             usage(progname);
 
         name = basename(name);
-        r = overrideService(name, type);
+        r = overrideService(name, type, root_path);
         reloadSystemd();
 
         return r;
@@ -812,10 +831,10 @@ int main(int argc, const char **argv) {
 
         display_list_systemd_note();
 
-        return listService(item, type);
+        return listService(item, type, root_path);
     } else if (argc == 1 && strcmp(progname, "systemd-sysv-install")) {
         display_list_systemd_note();
-        return listService(NULL, type);
+        return listService(NULL, type, root_path);
     } else {
         char *name = (char *)poptGetArg(optCon);
         char *state = (char *)poptGetArg(optCon);
@@ -854,7 +873,7 @@ int main(int argc, const char **argv) {
 
         if (!state) {
             if (!noRedirectItem && !levels) {
-                forwardSystemd(name, type, "is-enabled");
+                forwardSystemd(name, type, "is-enabled", root_path);
             }
 
             if (where) {
@@ -875,11 +894,11 @@ int main(int argc, const char **argv) {
                     exit(1);
                 }
             }
-            rc = readServiceInfo(name, type, &s, 0);
+            rc = readServiceInfo(name, type, &s, 0, root_path);
             if (rc)
                 return 1;
             if (s.type == TYPE_XINETD) {
-                if (isXinetdEnabled())
+                if (isXinetdEnabled(root_path))
                     return !s.levels;
                 else
                     return 1;
@@ -890,18 +909,18 @@ int main(int argc, const char **argv) {
             }
         } else if (!strcmp(state, "on")) {
             if (!noRedirectItem) {
-                forwardSystemd(name, type, "enable");
+                forwardSystemd(name, type, "enable", root_path);
             }
-            return setService(name, type, where, 1);
+            return setService(name, type, where, 1, root_path);
         } else if (!strcmp(state, "off")) {
             if (!noRedirectItem) {
-                forwardSystemd(name, type, "disable");
+                forwardSystemd(name, type, "disable", root_path);
             }
-            return setService(name, type, where, 0);
+            return setService(name, type, where, 0, root_path);
         } else if (!strcmp(state, "reset"))
-            return setService(name, type, where, -1);
+            return setService(name, type, where, -1, root_path);
         else if (!strcmp(state, "resetpriorities"))
-            return setService(name, type, where, -2);
+            return setService(name, type, where, -2, root_path);
     }
 
     usage(progname);
diff --git a/leveldb.c b/leveldb.c
index 7b8c1bdd..aef03dc6 100644
--- a/leveldb.c
+++ b/leveldb.c
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ int readDescription(char *start, char *bufstop, char **english_desc,
     return 0;
 }
 
-int readXinetdServiceInfo(char *name, struct service *service) {
+int readXinetdServiceInfo(char *name, struct service *service, char *root_path) {
     char *filename;
     int fd;
     struct service serv = {
@@ -223,7 +223,11 @@ int readXinetdServiceInfo(char *name, struct service *service) {
     char *buf = NULL, *ptr;
     char *eng_desc = NULL, *start;
 
-    asprintf(&filename, XINETDDIR "/%s", name);
+    if(root_path) {
+        asprintf(&filename, "%s/%s", root_path, name);
+    } else {
+        asprintf(&filename, XINETDDIR "/%s", name);
+    }
 
     if ((fd = open(filename, O_RDONLY)) < 0)
         goto out_err;
@@ -309,16 +313,23 @@ int readXinetdServiceInfo(char *name, struct service *service) {
     return -1;
 }
 
-int readServices(struct service **services) {
+int readServices(struct service **services, char *root_path) {
     DIR *dir;
     struct dirent *ent;
     struct stat sb;
     struct service *servs = NULL;
     int numservs = 0;
     char fn[1024];
+    char *filename = NULL;
+
+    if(root_path) {
+        asprintf(&filename, "%s", root_path);
+    } else {
+        asprintf(&filename, "%s", RUNLEVELS "/init.d");
+    }
 
-    if (!(dir = opendir(RUNLEVELS "/init.d"))) {
-        fprintf(stderr, _("failed to open %s/init.d: %s\n"), RUNLEVELS,
+    if (!(dir = opendir(filename))) {
+        fprintf(stderr, _("failed to open %s: %s\n"), filename,
                 strerror(errno));
         return -1;
     }
@@ -340,14 +351,19 @@ int readServices(struct service **services) {
         if (*dn == '~' || *dn == ',')
             continue;
 
-        sprintf(fn, RUNLEVELS "/init.d/%s", ent->d_name);
+        if(root_path) {
+            sprintf(fn, "%s/%s", root_path, ent->d_name);
+        } else {
+            sprintf(fn, RUNLEVELS "/init.d/%s", ent->d_name);
+        }
+
         if (stat(fn, &sb)) {
             continue;
         }
         if (!S_ISREG(sb.st_mode))
             continue;
         servs = realloc(servs, (numservs + 1) * sizeof(struct service));
-        if (!readServiceInfo(ent->d_name, TYPE_INIT_D, servs + numservs, 0))
+        if (!readServiceInfo(ent->d_name, TYPE_INIT_D, servs + numservs, 0, root_path))
             numservs++;
     }
     *services = servs;
@@ -355,7 +371,7 @@ int readServices(struct service **services) {
 }
 
 int readServiceInfo(char *name, int type, struct service *service,
-                    int honorHide) {
+                    int honorHide, char *root_path) {
     char *filename = NULL;
     int fd;
     struct service serv, serv_overrides;
@@ -364,7 +380,11 @@ int readServiceInfo(char *name, int type, struct service *service,
     if (!(type & TYPE_INIT_D))
         goto try_xinetd;
 
-    asprintf(&filename, RUNLEVELS "/init.d/%s", name);
+    if(root_path) {
+        asprintf(&filename, "%s/%s", root_path, name);
+    } else {
+        asprintf(&filename, RUNLEVELS "/init.d/%s", name);
+    }
 
     if ((fd = open(filename, O_RDONLY)) < 0)
         goto try_xinetd;
@@ -375,6 +395,7 @@ int readServiceInfo(char *name, int type, struct service *service,
         return parseret;
 
     asprintf(&filename, RUNLEVELS "/chkconfig.d/%s", name);
+
     if ((fd = open(filename, O_RDONLY)) >= 0) {
         parseret = parseServiceInfo(fd, name, &serv_overrides, honorHide, 1);
         if (parseret >= 0) {
@@ -412,11 +433,11 @@ int readServiceInfo(char *name, int type, struct service *service,
     free(filename);
     if (!(type & TYPE_XINETD))
         return -1;
-    return readXinetdServiceInfo(name, service);
+    return readXinetdServiceInfo(name, service, root_path);
 }
 
 int readServiceDifferences(char *name, int type, struct service *service,
-                           struct service *service_overrides, int honorHide) {
+                           struct service *service_overrides, int honorHide, char *root_path) {
     char *filename = NULL;
     int fd;
     struct service serv, serv_overrides;
@@ -425,7 +446,11 @@ int readServiceDifferences(char *name, int type, struct service *service,
     if (!(type & TYPE_INIT_D))
         goto try_xinetd;
 
-    asprintf(&filename, RUNLEVELS "/init.d/%s", name);
+    if(root_path) {
+        asprintf(&filename, "%s/%s", root_path, name);
+    } else {
+        asprintf(&filename, RUNLEVELS "/init.d/%s", name);
+    }
 
     if ((fd = open(filename, O_RDONLY)) < 0) {
         goto try_xinetd;
@@ -457,7 +482,7 @@ int readServiceDifferences(char *name, int type, struct service *service,
     free(filename);
     if (!(type & TYPE_XINETD))
         return -1;
-    return readXinetdServiceInfo(name, service);
+    return readXinetdServiceInfo(name, service, root_path);
 }
 
 static struct dep *parseDeps(char *pos, char *end) {
@@ -841,7 +866,7 @@ int whatLevels(char *name) {
     return ret;
 }
 
-int setXinetdService(struct service s, int on) {
+int setXinetdService(struct service s, int on, char *root_path) {
     int oldfd, newfd;
     char oldfname[100], newfname[100];
     char tmpstr[50];
@@ -853,7 +878,11 @@ int setXinetdService(struct service s, int on) {
     if (on == -1) {
         on = s.enabled ? 1 : 0;
     }
-    snprintf(oldfname, 100, "%s/%s", XINETDDIR, s.name);
+    if(root_path) {
+        snprintf(oldfname, 100, "%s/%s", root_path, s.name);
+    } else {
+        snprintf(oldfname, 100, "%s/%s", XINETDDIR, s.name);
+    }
     if ((oldfd = open(oldfname, O_RDONLY)) == -1) {
         return -1;
     }
@@ -866,7 +895,11 @@ int setXinetdService(struct service s, int on) {
     }
     close(oldfd);
     buf[sb.st_size] = '\0';
-    snprintf(newfname, 100, "%s/%s.XXXXXX", XINETDDIR, s.name);
+    if(root_path) {
+        snprintf(newfname, 100, "%s/%s.XXXXXX", root_path, s.name);
+    } else {
+        snprintf(newfname, 100, "%s/%s.XXXXXX", XINETDDIR, s.name);
+    }
     mode = umask(S_IRWXG | S_IRWXO);
     newfd = mkstemp(newfname);
     umask(mode);
@@ -903,7 +936,7 @@ int setXinetdService(struct service s, int on) {
     return (r);
 }
 
-int doSetService(struct service s, int level, int on) {
+int doSetService(struct service s, int level, int on, char *root_path) {
     int priority = on ? s.sPriority : s.kPriority;
     char linkname[200];
     char linkto[200];
@@ -919,7 +952,11 @@ int doSetService(struct service s, int level, int on) {
 
     sprintf(linkname, "%s/rc%d.d/%c%02d%s", RUNLEVELS, level, on ? 'S' : 'K',
             priority, s.name);
-    sprintf(linkto, "../init.d/%s", s.name);
+    if(root_path) {
+        sprintf(linkto, "%s/%s", root_path, s.name);
+    } else {
+        sprintf(linkto, "../init.d/%s", s.name);
+    }
 
     unlink(linkname); /* just in case */
     if (symlink(linkto, linkname)) {
diff --git a/leveldb.h b/leveldb.h
index e308d86e..15a968d6 100644
--- a/leveldb.h
+++ b/leveldb.h
@@ -59,20 +59,20 @@ int parseLevels(char *str, int emptyOk);
 /* returns 0 on success, 1 if the service is not chkconfig-able, -1 if an
    I/O error occurs (in which case errno can be checked) */
 int readServiceInfo(char *name, int type, struct service *service,
-                    int honorHide);
-int readServices(struct service **services);
+                    int honorHide, char *root_path);
+int readServices(struct service **services, char *root_path);
 int readServiceDifferences(char *name, int type, struct service *service,
-                           struct service *service_overrides, int honorHide);
+                           struct service *service_overrides, int honorHide, char *root_path);
 int parseServiceInfo(int fd, char *name, struct service *service, int honorHide,
                      int partialOk);
 int currentRunlevel(void);
 int isOn(char *name, int where);
 int isConfigured(char *name, int level, int *priority, char *type);
 int whatLevels(char *name);
-int doSetService(struct service s, int level, int on);
+int doSetService(struct service s, int level, int on, char *root_path);
 int findServiceEntries(char *name, int level, glob_t *globresptr);
-int readXinetdServiceInfo(char *name, struct service *service);
-int setXinetdService(struct service s, int on);
+int readXinetdServiceInfo(char *name, struct service *service, char *root_path);
+int setXinetdService(struct service s, int on, char *root_path);
 int systemdIsInit();
 int systemdActive();
 int isOverriddenBySystemd(const char *service);
diff --git a/ntsysv.8 b/ntsysv.8
index 11192f94..7b9215c8 100644
--- a/ntsysv.8
+++ b/ntsysv.8
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 .SH NAME
 ntsysv \- simple interface for configuring runlevels
 .SH SYNOPSIS
-\fBntsysv\fR [--back] [--level <levels>]
+\fBntsysv\fR [\fB--root\fR \fIpath\fR] [--back] [--level <levels>]
 .SH DESCRIPTION
 \fBntsysv\fR is a simple interface for configuring runlevel services which
 are also configurable through \fBchkconfig\fR. By default, it configures
@@ -18,6 +18,9 @@ in any of the runlevels which are being edited.
 The \fBntsysv\fR window normally contains a \fBCancel\fR button. If
 \fB--back\fR is specified, a \fBBack\fR button appears instead.
 
+\fB-\-root \fIpath\fR is given, uses alternative root path when looking 
+for unit files same as by \fBsystemctl\fR.
+
 .PD
 .SH "RETURN CODES"
 \fBntsysv\fR returns 0 on success, 2 on error, and 1 if the user cancelled
diff --git a/ntsysv.c b/ntsysv.c
index 3ab9c57a..a773f071 100644
--- a/ntsysv.c
+++ b/ntsysv.c
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@
 
 /* return 1 on cancel, 2 on error, 0 on success */
 static int servicesWindow(struct service *services, int numServices, int levels,
-                          int backButton) {
+                          int backButton, char *root_path) {
     newtComponent label, subform, ok, cancel;
     newtComponent *checkboxes, form, curr, blank;
     newtComponent sb = NULL;
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ static int servicesWindow(struct service *services, int numServices, int levels,
         if (services[i].type == TYPE_XINETD) {
             if ((services[i].enabled && states[i] != '*') ||
                 (!services[i].enabled && states[i] == '*'))
-                setXinetdService(services[i], states[i] == '*');
+                setXinetdService(services[i], states[i] == '*', root_path);
         } else if (services[i].type == TYPE_SYSTEMD) {
             char *cmd = NULL;
             int en = 0;
@@ -163,8 +163,14 @@ static int servicesWindow(struct service *services, int numServices, int levels,
                 en = 1;
             else
                 continue;
-            asprintf(&cmd, "/usr/bin/systemctl %s %s >/dev/null 2>&1",
-                     en ? "enable" : "disable", services[i].name);
+            if(root_path) {
+                asprintf(&cmd, "/usr/bin/systemctl --root=%s %s %s >/dev/null 2>&1",
+                         root_path, en ? "enable" : "disable", services[i].name);
+            } else {
+                asprintf(&cmd, "/usr/bin/systemctl %s %s >/dev/null 2>&1",
+                         en ? "enable" : "disable", services[i].name);
+            }
+
             if (cmd == NULL)
                 return 1;
             system(cmd);
@@ -172,7 +178,7 @@ static int servicesWindow(struct service *services, int numServices, int levels,
         } else {
             for (j = 0; j < 7; j++) {
                 if (levels & (1 << j))
-                    doSetService(services[i], j, states[i] == '*');
+                    doSetService(services[i], j, states[i] == '*', root_path);
             }
         }
     }
@@ -191,12 +197,13 @@ static int serviceNameCmp(const void *a, const void *b) {
     return strcmp(first->name, second->name);
 }
 
-int getSystemdServices(struct service **servicesPtr, int *numServicesPtr) {
+int getSystemdServices(struct service **servicesPtr, int *numServicesPtr, char *root_path) {
     FILE *sys = NULL;
     char service[UNIT_FILE_MAX + 1];
     int i;
     int r = 0;
     int c = ' ';
+    char *cmd = NULL;
     struct service *services = NULL;
     struct service *p = NULL;
     int numServices = 0;
@@ -207,7 +214,12 @@ int getSystemdServices(struct service **servicesPtr, int *numServicesPtr) {
     if (services == NULL)
         return -ENOMEM;
 
-    sys = popen("systemctl list-unit-files --no-legend --no-pager", "r");
+    if(root_path) {
+        asprintf(&cmd, "systemctl --root=%s list-unit-files --no-legend --no-pager", root_path);
+    } else {
+        asprintf(&cmd, "systemctl list-unit-files --no-legend --no-pager");
+    }
+    sys = popen(cmd, "r");
     if (!sys) {
         r = -1;
         goto finish;
@@ -301,11 +313,12 @@ int getSystemdServices(struct service **servicesPtr, int *numServicesPtr) {
 }
 
 static int getServices(struct service **servicesPtr, int *numServicesPtr,
-                       int backButton, int honorHide) {
+                       int backButton, int honorHide, char *root_path) {
     DIR *dir;
     struct dirent *ent;
     struct stat sb;
     char fn[1024];
+    char *filename = NULL;
     struct service *services;
     int numServices = 0;
     int numServicesAlloced, rc;
@@ -315,8 +328,14 @@ static int getServices(struct service **servicesPtr, int *numServicesPtr,
     numServicesAlloced = 10;
     services = malloc(sizeof(*services) * numServicesAlloced);
 
-    if (!(dir = opendir(RUNLEVELS "/init.d"))) {
-        fprintf(stderr, "failed to open " RUNLEVELS "/init.d: %s\n",
+    if(root_path) {
+        asprintf(&filename, "%s", root_path);
+    } else {
+        asprintf(&filename, RUNLEVELS "/init.d");
+    }
+
+    if (!(dir = opendir(filename))) {
+        fprintf(stderr, "failed to open %s: %s\n", filename,
                 strerror(errno));
         return 2;
     }
@@ -328,7 +347,13 @@ static int getServices(struct service **servicesPtr, int *numServicesPtr,
 
         if (systemd && isOverriddenBySystemd(ent->d_name))
             continue;
-        sprintf(fn, RUNLEVELS "/init.d/%s", ent->d_name);
+
+        if(root_path) {
+            sprintf(fn, "%s/%s", root_path, ent->d_name);
+        } else {
+            sprintf(fn, RUNLEVELS "/init.d/%s", ent->d_name);
+        }
+
         if (stat(fn, &sb)) {
             fprintf(stderr, _("error reading info for service %s: %s\n"),
                     ent->d_name, strerror(errno));
@@ -344,7 +369,7 @@ static int getServices(struct service **servicesPtr, int *numServicesPtr,
         }
 
         rc = readServiceInfo(ent->d_name, TYPE_INIT_D, services + numServices,
-                             honorHide);
+                             honorHide, root_path);
 
         if (!rc) {
             int i;
@@ -368,10 +393,16 @@ static int getServices(struct service **servicesPtr, int *numServicesPtr,
 
     closedir(dir);
 
-    if (!stat("/usr/sbin/xinetd", &sb)) {
+    if(root_path) {
+        asprintf(&filename, "%s", root_path);
+    } else {
+        asprintf(&filename, "/usr/sbin/xinetd");
+    }
+
+    if (!stat(filename, &sb)) {
         if (!(dir = opendir(XINETDDIR))) {
-            fprintf(stderr, "failed to open " XINETDDIR ": %s\n",
-                    strerror(errno));
+            fprintf(stderr, "failed to open %s: %s\n",
+                    filename, strerror(errno));
             return 2;
         }
 
@@ -380,7 +411,7 @@ static int getServices(struct service **servicesPtr, int *numServicesPtr,
                 strchr(ent->d_name, '.'))
                 continue;
 
-            sprintf(fn, "%s/%s", XINETDDIR, ent->d_name);
+            sprintf(fn, "%s/%s", (root_path) ? root_path : XINETDDIR, ent->d_name);
             if (stat(fn, &sb)) {
                 err = errno;
                 continue;
@@ -394,7 +425,7 @@ static int getServices(struct service **servicesPtr, int *numServicesPtr,
                     realloc(services, numServicesAlloced * sizeof(*services));
             }
 
-            rc = readXinetdServiceInfo(ent->d_name, services + numServices);
+            rc = readXinetdServiceInfo(ent->d_name, services + numServices, root_path);
 
             if (rc == -1) {
                 fprintf(stderr, _("error reading info for service %s: %s\n"),
@@ -407,12 +438,12 @@ static int getServices(struct service **servicesPtr, int *numServicesPtr,
 
         if (err) {
             fprintf(stderr, _("error reading from directory %s: %s\n"),
-                    XINETDDIR, strerror(err));
+                    (root_path) ? root_path : XINETDDIR, strerror(err));
             return 1;
         }
     }
 
-    getSystemdServices(&services, &numServices);
+    getSystemdServices(&services, &numServices, root_path);
 
     qsort(services, numServices, sizeof(*services), serviceNameCmp);
 
@@ -427,12 +458,14 @@ int main(int argc, const char **argv) {
     int numServices;
     int levels = -1;
     char *levelsStr = NULL;
+    char *root_path = NULL;
     char *progName;
     poptContext optCon;
     int rc, backButton = 0, hide = 0;
     struct poptOption optionsTable[] = {
         {"back", '\0', 0, &backButton, 0},
         {"level", '\0', POPT_ARG_STRING, &levelsStr, 0},
+        {"root", '\0', POPT_ARG_STRING, &root_path, 0},
         {"hide", '\0', 0, &hide, 0},
         {0, 0, 0, 0, 0}};
 
@@ -457,6 +490,13 @@ int main(int argc, const char **argv) {
         exit(1);
     }
 
+    if(root_path) {
+        if (*root_path != '/') {
+            fprintf(stderr, _("bad argument to --root\n"));
+            exit(2);
+        }
+    }
+
     if (levelsStr) {
         levels = parseLevels(levelsStr, 0);
         if (levels == -1) {
@@ -465,7 +505,7 @@ int main(int argc, const char **argv) {
         }
     }
 
-    if (getServices(&services, &numServices, backButton, hide))
+    if (getServices(&services, &numServices, backButton, hide, root_path))
         return 1;
     if (!numServices) {
         fprintf(stderr, _("No services may be managed by ntsysv!\n"));
@@ -481,7 +521,7 @@ int main(int argc, const char **argv) {
     if (levels == -1)
         levels = parseLevels("2345", 0);
 
-    rc = servicesWindow(services, numServices, levels, backButton);
+    rc = servicesWindow(services, numServices, levels, backButton, root_path);
 
     newtFinished();