Properties init: Could not determine current working directory.

Error:
       Error occurred during initialization of VM
       java.lang.Error: Properties init: Could not determine current working   directory.
        at java.lang.System.initProperties(Native Method)
        at java.lang.System.initializeSystemClass(System.java:1069)

Descripción:

Al intentar ejecutar un script que llama un proceso java desde un usuario de so distinto salía ese error.

:~# sudo -u user  java -version
Error occurred during initialization of VM
java.lang.Error: Properties init: Could not determine current working directory.
        at java.lang.System.initProperties(Native Method)
        at java.lang.System.initializeSystemClass(System.java:1069)


 Como reproducirlo:
   #sudo -u user  java -version




Solución:
:~# su - user -c "java -version"

Oracle Corporation      SunOS 5.11      11.1    February 2014
You have new mail.
mesg: cannot change mode
java version "1.6.0_71"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.6.0_71-b32)
Java HotSpot(TM) Server VM (build 20.71-b01, mixed mode)