diff --git a/plinth/modules/transmission/forms.py b/plinth/modules/transmission/forms.py
index 95f251a62..30a081cee 100644
--- a/plinth/modules/transmission/forms.py
+++ b/plinth/modules/transmission/forms.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ class TransmissionForm(DirectorySelectForm):
 
     def __init__(self, *args, **kw):
         validator = DirectoryValidator(
-            username=reserved_usernames[0], check_writable=True)
+            username=reserved_usernames[0], check_creatable=True)
         super(TransmissionForm, self).__init__(
             title=_('Download directory'),
             default='/var/lib/transmission-daemon/downloads',