diff --git a/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/taskdefs/Chmod.java b/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/taskdefs/Chmod.java
index c84ce1002..d4a396b2f 100644
--- a/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/taskdefs/Chmod.java
+++ b/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/taskdefs/Chmod.java
@@ -166,10 +166,10 @@ public class Chmod extends ExecuteOn {
     }
 
     public void execute() throws BuildException {
-        if (defaultSetDefined) {
+        if (defaultSetDefined || defaultSet.getDir(project) == null) {
             super.execute();
         }
-        else if (!defaultSetDefined && defaultSet.getDir(project) != null) {
+        else {
             // we are chmodding the given directory
             createArg().setValue(defaultSet.getDir(project).getPath());
             Execute execute = prepareExec();