diff --git a/core/includes/install.core.inc b/core/includes/install.core.inc
index 8dd191c..57a2ef5 100644
--- a/core/includes/install.core.inc
+++ b/core/includes/install.core.inc
@@ -2071,11 +2071,11 @@ function install_check_requirements($install_state) {
       // If the $file is not writable, throw an error.
       if (!$writable) {
         $requirements["$file file writeable"] = array(
           'title' => $default_file_info['title'],
           'value' => t('The %file is not writable.', array('%file' => $default_file_info['title'])),
-          'severity' => REQUIREMENT_ERROR,
+          'severity' => REQUIREMENT_WARNING,
           'description' => t('The @drupal installer requires write permissions to %file during the installation process. The <a href=":handbook_url">webhosting issues</a> documentation section offers help on this and other topics.', array(
               '@drupal' => drupal_install_profile_distribution_name(),
               '%file' => $file,
               ':handbook_url' => 'https://www.drupal.org/server-permissions'
             )),