diff --git a/core/includes/install.core.inc b/core/includes/install.core.inc
index 7f4b26b..ff061cf 100644
--- a/core/includes/install.core.inc
+++ b/core/includes/install.core.inc
@@ -1854,11 +1854,13 @@ function install_check_translations($install_state) {
   file_prepare_directory($translations_directory, FILE_CREATE_DIRECTORY | FILE_MODIFY_PERMISSIONS);
 
   // Get values so the requirements errors can be specific.
-  if (drupal_verify_install_file($translations_directory, FILE_EXIST|FILE_WRITABLE, 'dir')) {
+  if (is_dir($translations_directory)) {
+    $translations_directory_exists = TRUE;
     $readable = is_readable($translations_directory);
     $writable = is_writable($translations_directory);
-    $executable = is_executable($translations_directory);
-    $translations_directory_exists = TRUE;
+    // See http://php.net/manual/en/function.is-executable.php
+    // is_executable() does not work reliably for directories on some systems.
+    $executable = @file_exists($translations_directory . '/.');
   }
 
   // Build URLs for the translation file and the translation server.