diff --git a/roles/common/tasks/users-systemfiles.yml b/roles/common/tasks/users-systemfiles.yml
index 95b4d94..09fdd7a 100644
--- a/roles/common/tasks/users-systemfiles.yml
+++ b/roles/common/tasks/users-systemfiles.yml
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@
     - bash
 
 - name: (users-systemfiles.yml) Backup existing users .bashrc file
-  command: cp ~{{ item.item.name }}/.bashrc ~{{ item.item.name }}/.bashrc.ORIG
+  command: cp -a ~{{ item.item.name }}/.bashrc ~{{ item.item.name }}/.bashrc.ORIG
   loop: "{{ bashrc_user_orig_exists.results }}"
   loop_control:
     label: '{{ item.item.name }}'
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@
     - profile
 
 - name: (users-systemfiles.yml) Backup existing users .profile file
-  command: cp ~{{ item.item.name }}/.profile ~{{ item.item.name }}/.profile.ORIG
+  command: cp -a ~{{ item.item.name }}/.profile ~{{ item.item.name }}/.profile.ORIG
   loop: "{{ profile_user_orig_exists.results }}"
   loop_control:
     label: '{{ item.item.name }}'