diff --git a/scripts/disk-gc-scan.py b/scripts/disk-gc-scan.py
index d43555a..8c5e218 100644
--- a/scripts/disk-gc-scan.py
+++ b/scripts/disk-gc-scan.py
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ import pathlib
 import subprocess
 import sys
 import time
+import os
 from dataclasses import dataclass
 from typing import Optional
 
@@ -192,7 +193,7 @@ def probe_guest(guest: Guest) -> ProbeResult:
         if not HELPER_PCT_RUN.exists():
             print(f"SCANNER ERROR: helper not found: {HELPER_PCT_RUN}", file=sys.stderr)
             sys.exit(1)
-        if not HELPER_PCT_RUN.readable():
+        if not os.access(str(HELPER_PCT_RUN), os.R_OK):
             print(f"SCANNER ERROR: helper not readable: {HELPER_PCT_RUN}", file=sys.stderr)
             sys.exit(1)