diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index 16978d74e0425..1f48be948aa84 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ def _is_neuron() -> bool:
     torch_neuronx_installed = True
     try:
         subprocess.run(["neuron-ls"], capture_output=True, check=True)
-    except FileNotFoundError:
+    except (FileNotFoundError, PermissionError):
         torch_neuronx_installed = False
     return torch_neuronx_installed