diff --git a/src/stirling/utils/linux_headers.cc b/src/stirling/utils/linux_headers.cc
index cf4908bfff4..a4e73c8a682 100644
--- a/src/stirling/utils/linux_headers.cc
+++ b/src/stirling/utils/linux_headers.cc
@@ -210,16 +210,12 @@ Status FindLinuxHeadersDirectory(const std::filesystem::path& lib_modules_dir) {
 }
 
 StatusOr<std::filesystem::path> ResolvePossibleSymlinkToHostPath(const std::filesystem::path p) {
-  // The rest of this won't work if "p" does not exist. Go ahead and error out early if needed.
-  if (!fs::Exists(p)) {
-    return error::NotFound(absl::Substitute("Did not find host headers at path: $0.", p.string()));
-  }
-
   // Check if "p" is a symlink.
   std::error_code ec;
   const bool is_symlink = std::filesystem::is_symlink(p, ec);
   if (ec) {
-    return error::Internal(ec.message());
+    return error::NotFound(absl::Substitute("Did not find the host headers at path: $0, $1.",
+                                            p.string(), ec.message()));
   }
 
   if (!is_symlink) {