diff --git a/changelog.d/config-stat-symlink.fix b/changelog.d/config-stat-symlink.fix
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c8b98225d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog.d/config-stat-symlink.fix
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+- Config: Check the permissions of the linked file instead of the symlink
diff --git a/lib/pleroma/config/release_runtime_provider.ex b/lib/pleroma/config/release_runtime_provider.ex
index 9ec0f975e..351639836 100644
--- a/lib/pleroma/config/release_runtime_provider.ex
+++ b/lib/pleroma/config/release_runtime_provider.ex
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ def load(config, opts) do
     with_runtime_config =
       if File.exists?(config_path) do
         # <https://git.pleroma.social/pleroma/pleroma/-/issues/3135>
-        %File.Stat{mode: mode} = File.lstat!(config_path)
+        %File.Stat{mode: mode} = File.stat!(config_path)
 
         if Bitwise.band(mode, 0o007) > 0 do
           raise "Configuration at #{config_path} has world-permissions, execute the following: chmod o= #{config_path}"