diff --git a/conda_build/build.py b/conda_build/build.py
index 4be112f57b..1db457f493 100644
--- a/conda_build/build.py
+++ b/conda_build/build.py
@@ -1738,7 +1738,10 @@ def bundle_conda(
             if (
                 # WSL bash is always the same path, it is an alias to the default
                 # distribution as configured by the user
-                on_win and Path("C:\\Windows\\System32\\bash.exe").samefile(args[0])
+                on_win
+                # check if WSL is installed before calling Path.samefile/os.stat
+                and (wsl_bash := Path("C:\\Windows\\System32\\bash.exe")).exists()
+                and wsl_bash.samefile(args[0])
             ):
                 raise CondaBuildUserError(
                     "WSL bash.exe is not supported. Please use MSYS2 packages. Add "
diff --git a/news/5434-check-for-WSL b/news/5434-check-for-WSL
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e063aa3bbe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/news/5434-check-for-WSL
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+### Enhancements
+
+* <news item>
+
+### Bug fixes
+
+* Check for WSL existence before calling `os.stat`. (#5433 via #5434)
+
+### Deprecations
+
+* <news item>
+
+### Docs
+
+* <news item>
+
+### Other
+
+* <news item>