diff --git a/lib/active_model/serializer/adapter/json_api.rb b/lib/active_model/serializer/adapter/json_api.rb
index 56399b35..76340613 100644
--- a/lib/active_model/serializer/adapter/json_api.rb
+++ b/lib/active_model/serializer/adapter/json_api.rb
@@ -2,6 +2,11 @@ module ActiveModel
   class Serializer
     class Adapter
       class JsonApi < Adapter
+        def initialize(serializer, options = {})
+          super
+          serializer.root ||= true
+        end
+
         def serializable_hash(opts = {})
           @hash = serializer.attributes