diff --git a/src/main/java/dev/exhq/ajarc/vm/JsVm.java b/src/main/java/dev/exhq/ajarc/vm/JsVm.java
index 226db82..013190b 100644
--- a/src/main/java/dev/exhq/ajarc/vm/JsVm.java
+++ b/src/main/java/dev/exhq/ajarc/vm/JsVm.java
@@ -76,7 +76,6 @@ public class JsVm {
 			for (int i = 0; i < splitPath.size(); i++) {
 				var segment = splitPath.get(i);
 				var child = node.listing().get(segment);
-				if (child == null) return null;
 				if (child instanceof AjarSymlinkFile symlink) {
 					// TODO: symlink infinite recursion protection
 					if (symlink.target().startsWith("/")) {
@@ -86,6 +85,7 @@ public class JsVm {
 					}
 				}
 				if (i == splitPath.size() - 1) break;
+				if (child == null) return null;
 				if (!(child instanceof AjarDirectory directory)) {
 					throw new RuntimeException("No such file or directory " + path);
 				}