diff --git a/internal/commands/root/sign.go b/internal/commands/root/sign.go
index 1e9f3ec6..5ba90fd7 100644
--- a/internal/commands/root/sign.go
+++ b/internal/commands/root/sign.go
@@ -41,9 +41,6 @@ func commandSign(o *options, s *gsio.Streams, args ...string) error {
 	if o.FlagVerify {
 		return errors.New("specify --help, --sign, or --verify")
 	}
-	if len(o.FlagLocalUser) == 0 {
-		return errors.New("specify a USER-ID to sign with")
-	}
 
 	userIdent, err := fulcio.NewIdentity(ctx, o.Config, s.TTYIn, s.TTYOut)
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/internal/commands/root/verify.go b/internal/commands/root/verify.go
index 1a1d018a..cba2c651 100644
--- a/internal/commands/root/verify.go
+++ b/internal/commands/root/verify.go
@@ -39,9 +39,6 @@ func commandVerify(o *options, s *gsio.Streams, args ...string) error {
 	if o.FlagSign {
 		return errors.New("specify --help, --sign, or --verify")
 	}
-	if len(o.FlagLocalUser) > 0 {
-		return errors.New("local-user cannot be specified for verification")
-	}
 	if o.FlagDetachedSignature {
 		return errors.New("detach-sign cannot be specified for verification")
 	}