diff --git a/copy b/copy
index 0686b3994cb..cdd47f41c83 100755
--- a/copy
+++ b/copy
@@ -66,11 +66,15 @@ if dest:
 if not os.path.exists(src):
 	exit_kv(rc=1, failed=1, msg="Source %s failed to transfer" % (src))
 
-# raise an error if copy has no permission on dest
-if not os.access(dest, os.W_OK):
-    exit_kv(rc=1, failed=1, msg="Destination %s seems not writable" % (dest))
-elif not os.access(dest, os.R_OK):
-    exit_kv(rc=1, failed=1, msg="Destination %s seems not readable" % (dest))
+if os.path.exists(dest):
+    # raise an error if copy has no permission on dest
+    if not os.access(dest, os.W_OK):
+        exit_kv(rc=1, failed=1, msg="Destination %s not writable" % (dest))
+    elif not os.access(dest, os.R_OK):
+        exit_kv(rc=1, failed=1, msg="Destination %s not readable" % (dest))
+else:
+    if not os.access(os.path.dirname(dest), os.W_OK):
+        exit_kv(rc=1, failed=1, msg="Destination %s not writable" % (dest))
 
 md5sum = None
 changed = False