--- /sys/src/9k/boot/bootauth.c
+++ /sys/src/9k/boot/bootauth.c
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ authentication(int cpuflag)
 	}
 
 	/* wait for agent to really be there */
-	while(access("/mnt/factotum", 0) < 0)
+	while(access("/mnt/factotum", AEXIST) < 0)
 		sleep(250);
 }
 
--- /sys/src/9k/boot/bootip.c
+++ /sys/src/9k/boot/bootip.c
@@ -51,16 +51,16 @@ configip(int bargc, char **bargv, int needfs)
 	if(bind("#I", mpoint, MAFTER) < 0)
 		fatal("bind #I");
 	dprint("bind #l0...");
-	if(access("#l0", 0) == 0 && bind("#l0", mpoint, MAFTER) < 0)
+	if(access("#l0", AEXIST) == 0 && bind("#l0", mpoint, MAFTER) < 0)
 		warning("bind #l0");
 	dprint("bind #l1...");
-	if(access("#l1", 0) == 0 && bind("#l1", mpoint, MAFTER) < 0)
+	if(access("#l1", AEXIST) == 0 && bind("#l1", mpoint, MAFTER) < 0)
 		warning("bind #l1");
 	dprint("bind #l2...");
-	if(access("#l2", 0) == 0 && bind("#l2", mpoint, MAFTER) < 0)
+	if(access("#l2", AEXIST) == 0 && bind("#l2", mpoint, MAFTER) < 0)
 		warning("bind #l2");
 	dprint("bind #l3...");
-	if(access("#l3", 0) == 0 && bind("#l3", mpoint, MAFTER) < 0)
+	if(access("#l3", AEXIST) == 0 && bind("#l3", mpoint, MAFTER) < 0)
 		warning("bind #l3");
 	werrstr("");