diff --git a/packages/aws-cdk/lib/api/util/sdk.ts b/packages/aws-cdk/lib/api/util/sdk.ts
index cfb80ffbf945b..23584038f8bc5 100644
--- a/packages/aws-cdk/lib/api/util/sdk.ts
+++ b/packages/aws-cdk/lib/api/util/sdk.ts
@@ -375,7 +375,7 @@ async function makeCLICompatibleCredentialProvider(profile: string | undefined,
     () => new AWS.EnvironmentCredentials('AWS'),
     () => new AWS.EnvironmentCredentials('AMAZON'),
   ];
-  if (fs.pathExists(filename)) {
+  if (await fs.pathExists(filename)) {
     sources.push(() => new AWS.SharedIniFileCredentials({ profile, filename }));
   }