diff --git a/src/cockpit/channels/filesystem.py b/src/cockpit/channels/filesystem.py
index 9df461b27b14..19f9a8d03d56 100644
--- a/src/cockpit/channels/filesystem.py
+++ b/src/cockpit/channels/filesystem.py
@@ -499,7 +499,7 @@ def do_identity_changed(self, fd: 'Handle | None', err: 'int | None') -> None:
             # Note: don't set to None, since the handler is still pending
             self.pending.clear()
 
-        if err is None:
+        if fd is not None:
             assert fd is not None
             self.report_initial_state(fd)
         else: