diff --git a/src/cmd/go/internal/workcmd/use.go b/src/cmd/go/internal/workcmd/use.go
index 4a60917b20f..6da64b3f09e 100644
--- a/src/cmd/go/internal/workcmd/use.go
+++ b/src/cmd/go/internal/workcmd/use.go
@@ -125,11 +125,7 @@ func runUse(ctx context.Context, cmd *base.Command, args []string) {
 		}
 
 		if !*useR {
-			if target, err := fsys.Stat(useDir); err == nil && !target.IsDir() {
-				base.Errorf(`go: argument "%s" is not a directory`, useDir)
-			} else {
-				lookDir(useDir)
-			}
+			lookDir(useDir)
 			continue
 		}