diff --git a/src/wallet/walletutil.cpp b/src/wallet/walletutil.cpp
--- a/src/wallet/walletutil.cpp
+++ b/src/wallet/walletutil.cpp
@@ -30,6 +30,10 @@
 }
 
 static bool IsBerkeleyBtree(const fs::path &path) {
+    if (!fs::exists(path)) {
+        return false;
+    }
+
     // A Berkeley DB Btree file has at least 4K.
     // This check also prevents opening lock files.
     boost::system::error_code ec;