diff --git a/src/System.Management.Automation/utils/PathUtils.cs b/src/System.Management.Automation/utils/PathUtils.cs
index 45ba787aee..0034681e12 100644
--- a/src/System.Management.Automation/utils/PathUtils.cs
+++ b/src/System.Management.Automation/utils/PathUtils.cs
@@ -444,6 +444,10 @@ namespace System.Management.Automation
                 {
                     // file is in use on Windows
                 }
+                catch (UnauthorizedAccessException)
+                {
+                    // user does not have permissions
+                }
             }
 
             return false;