diff --git a/Library/Homebrew/cmd/doctor.rb b/Library/Homebrew/cmd/doctor.rb
index 11eabe2817eaf83ee8315baee004e0cf70999a16..9d296b23e8717e57761654aabbc8a28c8efc3f71 100644
--- a/Library/Homebrew/cmd/doctor.rb
+++ b/Library/Homebrew/cmd/doctor.rb
@@ -596,6 +596,7 @@ def check_for_DYLD_INSERT_LIBRARIES
 end
 
 def check_for_symlinked_cellar
+  return unless HOMEBREW_CELLAR.exist?
   if HOMEBREW_CELLAR.symlink?
     <<-EOS.undent
       Symlinked Cellars can cause problems.