diff --git a/kitty/main.py b/kitty/main.py
index d1ee39ef0..0dc3a58e3 100644
--- a/kitty/main.py
+++ b/kitty/main.py
@@ -141,7 +141,11 @@ def _main():
     if is_macos and os.environ.pop('KITTY_LAUNCHED_BY_LAUNCH_SERVICES', None) == '1':
         os.chdir(os.path.expanduser('~'))
         args = macos_cmdline()
-    if not os.path.isdir(os.getcwd()):
+    try:
+        cwd_ok = os.path.isdir(os.getcwd())
+    except Exception:
+        cwd_ok = False
+    if not cwd_ok:
         os.chdir(os.path.expanduser('~'))
     args, rest = parse_args(args=args)
     args.args = rest