diff --git a/lib/xdge.ml b/lib/xdge.ml
--- a/lib/xdge.ml
+++ b/lib/xdge.ml
@@ -236,6 +236,12 @@ let runtime_dir t = t.runtime_dir
 let config_dirs t = t.config_dirs
 let data_dirs t = t.data_dirs
 
+(* Check if an Eio exception indicates a missing file/directory *)
+let is_not_found_error = function
+  | Eio.Io (Eio.Fs.E (Eio.Fs.Not_found _), _) -> true
+  | Eio.Io (Eio.Fs.E (Eio.Fs.Permission_denied _), _) -> true
+  | _ -> false
+
 (* File search following XDG specification *)
 let find_file_in_dirs dirs filename =
   let rec search_dirs = function
@@ -246,7 +252,7 @@ try
           (* Try to check if file exists and is readable *)
           let _ = Eio.Path.stat ~follow:true file_path in
           Some file_path
-        with _ ->
+        with exn when is_not_found_error exn ->
           (* File is inaccessible (non-existent, permissions, etc.)
             Skip and continue with next directory per XDG spec *)
           search_dirs remaining_dirs)