return if (m!^[/.]$!);
                                # only directories can be git repositories
                                return unless (-d $_);
+                               # need search permission
+                               return unless (-x $_);
                                # don't traverse too deep (Find is super slow on os x)
                                # $project_maxdepth excludes depth of $projectroot
                                if (($File::Find::name =~ tr!/!!) - $pfxdepth > $project_maxdepth) {