diff --git a/src/lint/linter/ArcanistExternalLinter.php b/src/lint/linter/ArcanistExternalLinter.php
--- a/src/lint/linter/ArcanistExternalLinter.php
+++ b/src/lint/linter/ArcanistExternalLinter.php
@@ -302,7 +302,7 @@
             $this->getInstallInstructions()));
       }
     } else {
-      if (!Filesystem::binaryExists($binary)) {
+      if (!Filesystem::binaryExists($binary) && !Filesystem::pathExists($binary)) {
         throw new ArcanistUsageException(
           pht(
             'Unable to locate binary "%s" to run linter %s. You may need '.
@@ -510,7 +510,7 @@
           }
 
           $path = Filesystem::resolvePath($path, $root);
-          if ((!$is_script && Filesystem::binaryExists($path)) ||
+          if ((!$is_script && (Filesystem::binaryExists($path) || Filesystem::pathExists($path))) ||
               ($is_script && Filesystem::pathExists($path))) {
             $this->setBinary($path);
             return;