diff --git a/.github/workflows/on-push.yml b/.github/workflows/on-push.yml
index 2d202af..45848ff 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/on-push.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/on-push.yml
@@ -37,6 +37,9 @@ jobs:
         sudo apt-get update
         sudo apt-get install qemu-system
         pip install .[test]
+    - name: Allow kvm usage
+      run: |
+        sudo chmod o+rw /dev/kvm || :
     - name: Run tests
       run: pytest -s
   release:
diff --git a/scripts/vmctl b/scripts/vmctl
index d97729a..7a574a0 100755
--- a/scripts/vmctl
+++ b/scripts/vmctl
@@ -229,7 +229,7 @@ qemu_exec() {
     # use "Standard PC"
     set -- "$@" -machine q35
 
-    if [ -e /dev/kvm ]; then
+    if [ -w /dev/kvm ]; then
         # use host CPU model
         set -- "$@" -cpu host
         # use kvm acceleration