diff --git a/distribution/packages/src/common/scripts/preinst b/distribution/packages/src/common/scripts/preinst
index 3368e9c22f322..eb4f08d096c3c 100644
--- a/distribution/packages/src/common/scripts/preinst
+++ b/distribution/packages/src/common/scripts/preinst
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@ else
     JAVA=`which java`
 fi
 
-if [ ! -x "$JAVA" ]; then
-    echo "Could not find any executable java binary. Please install java in your PATH or set JAVA_HOME"
+if [ -z "$JAVA" ]; then
+    echo "Could not find java; please install java in your PATH or set JAVA_HOME"
     exit 1
 fi