diff --git a/core/includes/install.core.inc b/core/includes/install.core.inc
index 1019270..ceb9982 100644
--- a/core/includes/install.core.inc
+++ b/core/includes/install.core.inc
@@ -369,7 +369,9 @@ function install_begin_request($class_loader, &$install_state) {
     $install_state['config_verified'] = FALSE;
   }
   $install_state['database_verified'] = install_verify_database_settings($site_path);
-  $install_state['settings_verified'] = $install_state['config_verified'] && $install_state['database_verified'];
+  // A valid settings.php has database settings and a hash_salt value. Other
+  // settings like config_directories will be checked by system_requirements().
+  $install_state['settings_verified'] = $install_state['database_verified'] && (bool) Settings::get('hash_salt', FALSE);
 
   // Install factory tables only after checking the database.
   if ($install_state['database_verified'] && $install_state['database_ready']) {