diff --git a/scripts/supybot-botchk b/scripts/supybot-botchk
index d8a8801c7..3af4f3039 100644
--- a/scripts/supybot-botchk
+++ b/scripts/supybot-botchk
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ if __name__ == '__main__':
         try:
             file(options.pidfile, 'r+')
         except EnvironmentError, e:
-            fatal('pidfile (%s) is not writable: %s', options.pidfile, e)
+            debug('pidfile (%s) is not writable: %s', options.pidfile, e)
             sys.exit(-1)
         debug('Bot not found, starting.')
         home = os.environ['HOME']