diff --git a/contrib/emacs/git.el b/contrib/emacs/git.el
index 65c95d9d5a..5ffc506f6d 100644
--- a/contrib/emacs/git.el
+++ b/contrib/emacs/git.el
@@ -1671,7 +1671,7 @@ Commands:
   "Entry point into git-status mode."
   (interactive "DSelect directory: ")
   (setq dir (git-get-top-dir dir))
-  (if (file-directory-p (concat (file-name-as-directory dir) ".git"))
+  (if (file-exists-p (concat (file-name-as-directory dir) ".git"))
       (let ((buffer (or (and git-reuse-status-buffer (git-find-status-buffer dir))
                         (create-file-buffer (expand-file-name "*git-status*" dir)))))
         (switch-to-buffer buffer)