diff --git a/backend/open_webui/config.py b/backend/open_webui/config.py
index 897618247a..ece36cf0fe 100644
--- a/backend/open_webui/config.py
+++ b/backend/open_webui/config.py
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ async def import_legacy_config_json():
 STATIC_DIR = Path(os.getenv('STATIC_DIR', OPEN_WEBUI_DIR / 'static')).resolve()
 
 try:
-    if STATIC_DIR.exists():
+    if STATIC_DIR.exists() and (FRONTEND_BUILD_DIR / 'static').is_dir():
         for item in STATIC_DIR.iterdir():
             if item.is_file() or item.is_symlink():
                 try: