Error on svn status - permission denied?

[root@bdms L2]# sudo -u nobody svn status --username si2 -N -v "/usr/repo-wc/EASA/common/si2 supporting documents/COM/L2/TAODS"
svn: Can't check path '/root/.subversion': Permission denied

I have an Apache 2.0 running as nobody, that has mod_perl hook calling svn status that produces the above error, but I don't know why.
 
Apache was started by root as usual, but the children are nobody, so I don't understand why the root svn account is being used.
 
If `--config-dir .` is specified, the problem is avoided, but I would be grateful if someone could explain to me why root/.subversion was even thought of by svn status.
 
Thanks in anticipation
 

Lee Goddard
Internet Application Development
European Aviation Safety Agency
Administrative Directorate

E: Lee.Goddard@EASA.EU.int
T: +49 221 89990 3221
F: +49 221 89990 3721
W: www.easa.eu.int <http://www.easa.eu.int/>

Post: Postfach 10 12 53, D-50452 Köln
Visit <http://www.easa.eu.int/doc/Contact/LOCATION_ENG.pdf> : Ottoplatz 1, D-50679 Köln

 
Received on Fri Sep 23 09:16:36 2005