diff --git a/packages/io/__tests__/io.test.ts b/packages/io/__tests__/io.test.ts
index a74d0a6a..33873054 100644
--- a/packages/io/__tests__/io.test.ts
+++ b/packages/io/__tests__/io.test.ts
@@ -348,7 +348,8 @@ describe('rmRF', () => {
 
     // can't remove folder with locked file on windows
     if (ioUtil.IS_WINDOWS) {
-      await assertExists(testPath)
+      // additionally, can't stat an open file on Windows without getting EPERM
+      await ioUtil.access(filePath)
     } else {
       await assertNotExists(testPath)
     }
diff --git a/packages/io/src/io-util.ts b/packages/io/src/io-util.ts
index 49ced213..19066319 100644
--- a/packages/io/src/io-util.ts
+++ b/packages/io/src/io-util.ts
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import * as fs from 'fs'
 import * as path from 'path'
 
 export const {
+  access,
   chmod,
   copyFile,
   lstat,