diff --git a/ompi/debuggers/dlopen_test.c b/ompi/debuggers/dlopen_test.c
index 266a1c24389..5704fc4baee 100644
--- a/ompi/debuggers/dlopen_test.c
+++ b/ompi/debuggers/dlopen_test.c
@@ -65,12 +65,17 @@ static int do_test(void)
 
     /* Double check that the .la file is there that we expect; if it's
        not, skip this test. */
+    if (!access(full_filename, F_OK)) {
+      fprintf(stderr,
+              "File %s.la doesn't seem to exist; skipping this test\n",
+              full_filename);
+      exit(77);
+    }
     fp = fopen(full_filename, "r");
-    if (NULL == fp) {
-        fprintf(stderr,
-                "File %s.la doesn't seem to exist; skipping this test\n",
-                full_filename);
-        exit(77);
+    if (fp == NULL) {
+      fprintf(stderr, "File %s.la fopen failed; skipping this test\n",
+              full_filename);
+      exit(77);
     }
     /* We know the .la file is there, so read it, looking for the
        dlopen value.  If the dlopen value is '' (i.e., empty), then
diff --git a/ompi/debuggers/ompi_debuggers.c b/ompi/debuggers/ompi_debuggers.c
index 1e38b03d279..bedb6221ce9 100644
--- a/ompi/debuggers/ompi_debuggers.c
+++ b/ompi/debuggers/ompi_debuggers.c
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ static void check(char *dir, char *file, char **locations)
         FILE *fp;
 
         /* Just try to open the file */
-        if (NULL != (fp = fopen(str, "r"))) {
+        if (access(str, F_OK) && (NULL != (fp = fopen(str, "r"))) {
             fclose(fp);
             opal_argv_append_nosize(&locations, file);
         }
diff --git a/ompi/mca/coll/tuned/coll_tuned_dynamic_file.c b/ompi/mca/coll/tuned/coll_tuned_dynamic_file.c
index eab50091838..ece808f0719 100644
--- a/ompi/mca/coll/tuned/coll_tuned_dynamic_file.c
+++ b/ompi/mca/coll/tuned/coll_tuned_dynamic_file.c
@@ -88,6 +88,10 @@ int ompi_coll_tuned_read_rules_config_file (char *fname, ompi_coll_alg_rule_t**
         return (-3);
     }
 
+    if (!access(fname, F_OK)) {
+        OPAL_OUTPUT((ompi_coll_tuned_stream,"rules file does not exist [%s]\n", fname));
+        goto on_file_error;
+    }
     fptr = fopen (fname, "r");
     if (!fptr) {
         OPAL_OUTPUT((ompi_coll_tuned_stream,"cannot read rules file [%s]\n", fname));
diff --git a/ompi/mca/topo/treematch/treematch/tm_mapping.c b/ompi/mca/topo/treematch/treematch/tm_mapping.c
index 3472b4a9982..d39c56651bf 100644
--- a/ompi/mca/topo/treematch/treematch/tm_mapping.c
+++ b/ompi/mca/topo/treematch/treematch/tm_mapping.c
@@ -73,6 +73,12 @@ int nb_lines(char *filename)
   char line[LINE_SIZE];
   int N = 0;
 
+  if(!access(filename, F_OK)) {
+    if(tm_get_verbose_level() >= CRITICAL)
+      fprintf(stderr,"%s does not exist\n",filename);
+    exit(-1);
+  }
+
   if(!(pf = fopen(filename,"r"))){
     if(tm_get_verbose_level() >= CRITICAL)
       fprintf(stderr,"Cannot open %s\n",filename);
@@ -97,6 +103,11 @@ void init_mat(char *filename,int N, double **mat, double *sum_row)
   int i,j;
   unsigned int vl = tm_get_verbose_level();
 
+  if(!access(filename, F_OK)) {
+    if(tm_get_verbose_level() >= CRITICAL)
+      fprintf(stderr,"%s does not exist\n",filename);
+    exit(-1);
+  }
 
   if(!(pf=fopen(filename,"r"))){
     if(vl >= CRITICAL)
diff --git a/ompi/mca/topo/treematch/treematch/tm_topology.c b/ompi/mca/topo/treematch/treematch/tm_topology.c
index 4445b45634c..6789527f2f5 100644
--- a/ompi/mca/topo/treematch/treematch/tm_topology.c
+++ b/ompi/mca/topo/treematch/treematch/tm_topology.c
@@ -481,6 +481,11 @@ int  tm_topology_add_binding_constraints(char *constraints_filename, tm_topology
   int i,n;
   unsigned int vl = tm_get_verbose_level();
 
+  if (!access(constraints_filename, F_OK)) {
+    if(tm_get_verbose_level() >= CRITICAL)
+      fprintf(stderr,"%s does not exist\n",constraints_filename);
+    exit(-1);
+  }
 
   if (!(pf = fopen(constraints_filename,"r"))) {
     if(vl >= CRITICAL)
diff --git a/opal/mca/btl/openib/btl_openib_ini.c b/opal/mca/btl/openib/btl_openib_ini.c
index 0e1b7551531..0f727c960d9 100644
--- a/opal/mca/btl/openib/btl_openib_ini.c
+++ b/opal/mca/btl/openib/btl_openib_ini.c
@@ -229,9 +229,17 @@ static int parse_file(char *filename)
 
     /* Open the file */
     ini_filename = filename;
+
+    if (!access(filename, F_OK)) {
+        opal_show_help("help-mpi-btl-openib.txt", "ini file:file not found",
+                       true, filename);
+        ret = OPAL_ERR_NOT_FOUND;
+        goto cleanup;
+    }
+
     btl_openib_ini_yyin = fopen(filename, "r");
     if (NULL == btl_openib_ini_yyin) {
-        opal_show_help("help-mpi-btl-openib.txt", "ini file:file not found",
+        opal_show_help("help-mpi-btl-openib.txt", "ini file:could not open",
                        true, filename);
         ret = OPAL_ERR_NOT_FOUND;
         goto cleanup;
diff --git a/opal/mca/btl/ugni/btl_ugni_init.c b/opal/mca/btl/ugni/btl_ugni_init.c
index 87ebd3f20a1..a6b60d5ebd1 100644
--- a/opal/mca/btl/ugni/btl_ugni_init.c
+++ b/opal/mca/btl/ugni/btl_ugni_init.c
@@ -264,12 +264,13 @@ int mca_btl_ugni_init (void)
         mca_btl_ugni_component.virtual_device_count = MCA_BTL_UGNI_MAX_DEV_HANDLES;
     }
 
-    fh = fopen ("/proc/sys/kernel/pid_max", "r");
-    if (NULL != fh) {
-        fscanf (fh, "%d", &pid_max);
-        fclose (fh);
+    if (access("/proc/sys/kernel/pid_max", F_OK)) {
+        fh = fopen ("/proc/sys/kernel/pid_max", "r");
+        if (NULL != fh) {
+            fscanf (fh, "%d", &pid_max);
+            fclose (fh);
+        }
     }
-
     /* Use pid to generate the cdm_id.  Although its not stated in the uGNI
      * documentation, the cdm_id only needs to be unique within a node for a
      * given ptag/cookie tuple */
diff --git a/opal/mca/crs/blcr/crs_blcr_module.c b/opal/mca/crs/blcr/crs_blcr_module.c
index c84e79bfbe2..fa64b6fc31b 100644
--- a/opal/mca/crs/blcr/crs_blcr_module.c
+++ b/opal/mca/crs/blcr/crs_blcr_module.c
@@ -739,6 +739,14 @@ static int blcr_cold_start(opal_crs_blcr_snapshot_t *snapshot) {
      * Find the snapshot directory, read the metadata file
      */
     if( NULL == snapshot->super.metadata ) {
+        if(access(snapshot->super.metadata_filename, F_OK) {
+            opal_output(mca_crs_blcr_component.super.output_handle,
+                        "crs:blcr: checkpoint(): Error: %s does not exist",
+                        snapshot->super.metadata_filename);
+            exit_status = OPAL_ERROR;
+            goto cleanup;
+        }
+
         if (NULL == (snapshot->super.metadata = fopen(snapshot->super.metadata_filename, "r")) ) {
             opal_output(mca_crs_blcr_component.super.output_handle,
                         "crs:blcr: checkpoint(): Error: Unable to open the file (%s)",
diff --git a/opal/mca/crs/dmtcp/crs_dmtcp_module.c b/opal/mca/crs/dmtcp/crs_dmtcp_module.c
index e18626ff577..1c0862c10d5 100644
--- a/opal/mca/crs/dmtcp/crs_dmtcp_module.c
+++ b/opal/mca/crs/dmtcp/crs_dmtcp_module.c
@@ -477,13 +477,14 @@ static int dmtcp_cold_start(opal_crs_dmtcp_snapshot_t *snapshot) {
     char **tmp_argv = NULL;
     char * component_name = NULL;
     int prev_pid;
-
+    char *smfname;
     /*
      * Find the snapshot directory, read the metadata file for
      * component name and previous pid
      */
     if( NULL == snapshot->super.metadata ) {
-        if (NULL == (snapshot->super.metadata = fopen(snapshot->super.metadata_filename, "r")) ) {
+        smfname = snapshot->super.metadata_filename;
+        if (!access(smfname, F_OK) || NULL == (snapshot->super.metadata = fopen(smfname, "r")) ) {
             opal_output(mca_crs_dmtcp_component.super.output_handle,
                         "crs:dmtcp: dmtcp_cold_start(): Error: Unable to open the file (%s)",
                         snapshot->super.metadata_filename);
diff --git a/opal/mca/if/linux_ipv6/if_linux_ipv6.c b/opal/mca/if/linux_ipv6/if_linux_ipv6.c
index eb2a8fc0920..2b8549133ce 100644
--- a/opal/mca/if/linux_ipv6/if_linux_ipv6.c
+++ b/opal/mca/if/linux_ipv6/if_linux_ipv6.c
@@ -95,7 +95,8 @@ static int if_linux_ipv6_open(void)
 {
 #if OPAL_ENABLE_IPV6
     FILE *f;
-    if ((f = fopen("/proc/net/if_inet6", "r"))) {
+    if (access("/proc/net/if_inet6", F_OK) &&
+        (f = fopen("/proc/net/if_inet6", "r"))) {
         char ifname[IF_NAMESIZE];
         unsigned int idx, pfxlen, scope, dadstat;
         struct in6_addr a6;
diff --git a/opal/mca/pmix/cray/pmix_cray_component.c b/opal/mca/pmix/cray/pmix_cray_component.c
index 3d58a40d0fc..1c153bac240 100644
--- a/opal/mca/pmix/cray/pmix_cray_component.c
+++ b/opal/mca/pmix/cray/pmix_cray_component.c
@@ -114,16 +114,18 @@ static int pmix_cray_component_query(mca_base_module_t **module, int *priority)
 
     /* disqualify ourselves if not running in a Cray PAGG container, or we
        were launched by the orte/mpirun launcher */
-    fd = fopen(proc_job_file, "r");
-    if ((fd == NULL) || (getenv("OMPI_NO_USE_CRAY_PMI") != NULL)) {
+    if (!access(proc_job_file, F_OK) ||
+        fd = fopen(proc_job_file, "r") == NULL ||
+        (getenv("OMPI_NO_USE_CRAY_PMI") != NULL)) {
         *priority = 0;
         *module = NULL;
         rc = OPAL_ERROR;
     } else {
         snprintf(task_is_app_fname,sizeof(task_is_app_fname),
                  "/proc/self/task/%ld/task_is_app",syscall(SYS_gettid));
-        fd_task_is_app = fopen(task_is_app_fname, "r");
-        if (fd_task_is_app != NULL) {   /* okay we're in a PAGG container,
+        if(access(fd_task_is_app, F_OK) &&
+           NULL != fd_task_is_app = fopen(task_is_app_fname, "r") {
+                                        /* okay we're in a PAGG container,
                                            and we are an app task (not just a process
                                            running on a mom node, for example),
                                            so we should give cray pmi a shot. */
diff --git a/opal/mca/pmix/pmix3x/pmix/contrib/perf_tools/pmi_intra_perf.c b/opal/mca/pmix/pmix3x/pmix/contrib/perf_tools/pmi_intra_perf.c
index 680b82547ec..89297a99791 100644
--- a/opal/mca/pmix/pmix3x/pmix/contrib/perf_tools/pmi_intra_perf.c
+++ b/opal/mca/pmix/pmix3x/pmix/contrib/perf_tools/pmi_intra_perf.c
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ int get_mem_usage(double *_pss, double *_rss) {
     memset(data, 0, sizeof(data));
     snprintf(data, sizeof(data), "/proc/%d/smaps", pid);
 
-    if (NULL == (smaps = fopen(data, "r"))) {
+    if (!access(data, F_OK) || NULL == (smaps = fopen(data, "r"))) {
         return -1;
     }
 
diff --git a/opal/mca/pmix/pmix3x/pmix/src/mca/pif/linux_ipv6/pif_linux_ipv6.c b/opal/mca/pmix/pmix3x/pmix/src/mca/pif/linux_ipv6/pif_linux_ipv6.c
index 2f240f9d8a1..019979ea642 100644
--- a/opal/mca/pmix/pmix3x/pmix/src/mca/pif/linux_ipv6/pif_linux_ipv6.c
+++ b/opal/mca/pmix/pmix3x/pmix/src/mca/pif/linux_ipv6/pif_linux_ipv6.c
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ pmix_pif_base_component_t mca_pif_linux_ipv6_component = {
 static int if_linux_ipv6_open(void)
 {
     FILE *f;
-    if ((f = fopen("/proc/net/if_inet6", "r"))) {
+    if (access("/proc/net/if_inet6", F_OK) && NULL != (f = fopen("/proc/net/if_inet6", "r"))) {
         char ifname[IF_NAMESIZE];
         unsigned int idx, pfxlen, scope, dadstat;
         struct in6_addr a6;
diff --git a/opal/mca/pmix/pmix3x/pmix/src/mca/ptl/tcp/ptl_tcp.c b/opal/mca/pmix/pmix3x/pmix/src/mca/ptl/tcp/ptl_tcp.c
index 33905dc930a..8fd3e7d79b1 100644
--- a/opal/mca/pmix/pmix3x/pmix/src/mca/ptl/tcp/ptl_tcp.c
+++ b/opal/mca/pmix/pmix3x/pmix/src/mca/ptl/tcp/ptl_tcp.c
@@ -471,8 +471,7 @@ static pmix_status_t parse_uri_file(char *filename,
     struct timeval tv;
     int retries;
 
-    fp = fopen(filename, "r");
-    if (NULL == fp) {
+    if (!access(filename, F_OK) || NULL == (fp = fopen(filename, "r"))) {
         /* if we cannot open the file, then the server must not
          * be configured to support tool connections, or this
          * user isn't authorized to access it - or it may just
@@ -495,8 +494,7 @@ static pmix_status_t parse_uri_file(char *filename,
                     pmix_event_evtimer_add(&ev, &tv);
                     PMIX_WAIT_THREAD(&lock);
                     PMIX_DESTRUCT_LOCK(&lock);
-                    fp = fopen(filename, "r");
-                    if (NULL != fp) {
+                    if (access(filename, F_OK) && NULL != (fp = fopen(filename, "r"))) {
                         /* we found it! */
                         goto process;
                     }
diff --git a/opal/mca/pmix/pmix3x/pmix/src/util/keyval_parse.c b/opal/mca/pmix/pmix3x/pmix/src/util/keyval_parse.c
index c07e65e6681..7498656e0f8 100644
--- a/opal/mca/pmix/pmix3x/pmix/src/util/keyval_parse.c
+++ b/opal/mca/pmix/pmix3x/pmix/src/util/keyval_parse.c
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@
 #include "src/util/output.h"
 #include <string.h>
 #include <ctype.h>
+#include <unistd.h>
 
 int pmix_util_keyval_parse_lineno = 0;
 
@@ -70,8 +71,7 @@ pmix_util_keyval_parse(const char *filename,
     keyval_callback = callback;
 
     /* Open the pmix */
-    pmix_util_keyval_yyin = fopen(keyval_filename, "r");
-    if (NULL == pmix_util_keyval_yyin) {
+    if (!access(keyval_filename, F_OK) || NULL == (pmix_util_keyval_yyin = fopen(keyval_filename, "r"))) {
         ret = PMIX_ERR_NOT_FOUND;
         goto cleanup;
     }
diff --git a/opal/mca/pmix/pmix3x/pmix/src/util/show_help.c b/opal/mca/pmix/pmix3x/pmix/src/util/show_help.c
index 1654d39ead3..e202772a8f0 100644
--- a/opal/mca/pmix/pmix3x/pmix/src/util/show_help.c
+++ b/opal/mca/pmix/pmix3x/pmix/src/util/show_help.c
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
 #include <string.h>
 #include <locale.h>
 #include <errno.h>
+#include <unistd.h>
 
 #include "src/mca/pinstalldirs/pinstalldirs.h"
 #include "src/util/show_help.h"
@@ -170,6 +171,9 @@ static int open_file(const char *base, const char *topic)
                     if (0 > asprintf(&filename, "%s%s%s.txt", search_dirs[i], PMIX_PATH_SEP, base)) {
                         return PMIX_ERR_OUT_OF_RESOURCE;
                     }
+                    if(!access(filename, F_OK)){
+                      return PMIX_ERR_NOT_FOUND;
+                    }
                     pmix_show_help_yyin = fopen(filename, "r");
                 }
             }
diff --git a/opal/mca/pstat/linux/pstat_linux_module.c b/opal/mca/pstat/linux/pstat_linux_module.c
index 41aa9b0f5d1..a0ea175453d 100644
--- a/opal/mca/pstat/linux/pstat_linux_module.c
+++ b/opal/mca/pstat/linux/pstat_linux_module.c
@@ -289,7 +289,7 @@ static int query(pid_t pid,
             return OPAL_ERR_VALUE_OUT_OF_BOUNDS;
         }
 
-        if (NULL == (fp = fopen(data, "r"))) {
+        if (!access(data, F_OK) || NULL == (fp = fopen(data, "r"))) {
             /* ignore this */
             return OPAL_SUCCESS;
         }
@@ -318,7 +318,7 @@ static int query(pid_t pid,
             return OPAL_ERR_VALUE_OUT_OF_BOUNDS;
         }
 
-        if (NULL == (fp = fopen(data, "r"))) {
+        if (!access(data, F_OK) || NULL == (fp = fopen(data, "r"))) {
             /* ignore this */
             return OPAL_SUCCESS;
         }
@@ -365,7 +365,7 @@ static int query(pid_t pid,
         nstats->la15 = strtof(eptr, NULL);
 
         /* see if we can open the meminfo file */
-        if (NULL == (fp = fopen("/proc/meminfo", "r"))) {
+        if (!access("/proc/meminfo", F_OK) || NULL == (fp = fopen("/proc/meminfo", "r"))) {
             /* ignore this */
             goto diskstats;
         }
@@ -398,7 +398,7 @@ static int query(pid_t pid,
 
     diskstats:
         /* look for the diskstats file */
-        if (NULL == (fp = fopen("/proc/diskstats", "r"))) {
+        if (!access("/proc/diskstats", F_OK) || NULL == (fp = fopen("/proc/diskstats", "r"))) {
             /* not an error if we don't find this one as it
              * isn't critical
              */
@@ -441,7 +441,7 @@ static int query(pid_t pid,
 
     netstats:
         /* look for the netstats file */
-        if (NULL == (fp = fopen("/proc/net/dev", "r"))) {
+        if (!access("/proc/net/dev", F_OK) || NULL == (fp = fopen("/proc/net/dev", "r"))) {
             /* not an error if we don't find this one as it
              * isn't critical
              */
diff --git a/opal/mca/timer/linux/timer_linux_component.c b/opal/mca/timer/linux/timer_linux_component.c
index c5b664afbeb..5e12489159a 100644
--- a/opal/mca/timer/linux/timer_linux_component.c
+++ b/opal/mca/timer/linux/timer_linux_component.c
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
 #include "opal_config.h"
 
 #include <string.h>
+#include <unistd.h>
 
 #include "opal/mca/timer/timer.h"
 #include "opal/mca/timer/base/base.h"
@@ -110,6 +111,9 @@ static int opal_timer_linux_find_freq(void)
     int ret;
     char buf[1024];
 
+    if(!access("/proc/cpuinfo", F_OK)) {
+        return OPAL_ERR_IN_ERRNO;
+    }
     fp = fopen("/proc/cpuinfo", "r");
     if (NULL == fp) {
         return OPAL_ERR_IN_ERRNO;
diff --git a/opal/runtime/opal_cr.c b/opal/runtime/opal_cr.c
index 56729b5a7d6..9a985fc0032 100644
--- a/opal/runtime/opal_cr.c
+++ b/opal/runtime/opal_cr.c
@@ -987,7 +987,7 @@ static int extract_env_vars(int prev_pid, char * file_name)
         goto cleanup;
     }
 
-    if (NULL == (env_data = fopen(file_name, "r")) ) {
+    if (!access(env_data, F_OK) || NULL == (env_data = fopen(file_name, "r")) ) {
         exit_status = OPAL_ERROR;
         goto cleanup;
     }
diff --git a/opal/tools/opal-restart/opal-restart.c b/opal/tools/opal-restart/opal-restart.c
index 7f9dfc042a3..269120e62f7 100644
--- a/opal/tools/opal-restart/opal-restart.c
+++ b/opal/tools/opal-restart/opal-restart.c
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@ main(int argc, char *argv[])
                  opal_restart_globals.snapshot_loc,
                  opal_restart_globals.snapshot_ref,
                  opal_restart_globals.snapshot_metadata);
-        if( NULL == (metadata = fopen(full_metadata_path, "r")) ) {
+        if(!access(full_metadata_path, F_OK) || NULL == (metadata = fopen(full_metadata_path, "r")) ) {
             opal_show_help("help-opal-restart.txt", "invalid_metadata", true,
                            opal_restart_globals.snapshot_metadata,
                            full_metadata_path);
@@ -657,7 +657,7 @@ static int post_env_vars(int prev_pid, opal_crs_base_snapshot_t *snapshot)
     /*
      * Any directories that need to be created
      */
-    if( NULL == (snapshot->metadata = fopen(snapshot->metadata_filename, "r")) ) {
+    if(!access(snapshot->metadata_filename, F_OK) || NULL == (snapshot->metadata = fopen(snapshot->metadata_filename, "r")) ) {
         opal_show_help("help-opal-restart.txt", "invalid_metadata", true,
                        opal_restart_globals.snapshot_metadata,
                        snapshot->metadata_filename);
diff --git a/opal/util/keyval_parse.c b/opal/util/keyval_parse.c
index aef56d8c37c..02edd22c724 100644
--- a/opal/util/keyval_parse.c
+++ b/opal/util/keyval_parse.c
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@
 #include "opal/threads/mutex.h"
 #include <string.h>
 #include <ctype.h>
+#include <unistd.h>
 
 int opal_util_keyval_parse_lineno = 0;
 
@@ -76,6 +77,10 @@ opal_util_keyval_parse(const char *filename,
     keyval_filename = filename;
     keyval_callback = callback;
 
+    if (!access(keyval_filename, F_OK)) {
+        ret = OPAL_ERR_NOT_FOUND;
+        goto cleanup;
+    }
     /* Open the opal */
     opal_util_keyval_yyin = fopen(keyval_filename, "r");
     if (NULL == opal_util_keyval_yyin) {
diff --git a/opal/util/show_help.c b/opal/util/show_help.c
index 18c82ccbffe..79b9b9eef90 100644
--- a/opal/util/show_help.c
+++ b/opal/util/show_help.c
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
 #include <string.h>
 #include <locale.h>
 #include <errno.h>
+#include <unistd.h>
 
 #include "opal/mca/installdirs/installdirs.h"
 #include "opal/util/show_help.h"
@@ -158,13 +159,20 @@ static int open_file(const char *base, const char *topic)
          */
         for (i=0; NULL != search_dirs[i]; i++) {
             filename = opal_os_path( false, search_dirs[i], base, NULL );
+            if(!access(filename, F_OK)) {
+              goto doesntexist;
+            }
             opal_show_help_yyin = fopen(filename, "r");
             if (NULL == opal_show_help_yyin) {
+            doesntexist:
                 asprintf(&err_msg, "%s: %s", filename, strerror(errno));
                 base_len = strlen(base);
                 if (4 > base_len || 0 != strcmp(base + base_len - 4, ".txt")) {
                     free(filename);
                     asprintf(&filename, "%s%s%s.txt", search_dirs[i], OPAL_PATH_SEP, base);
+                    if(!access(filename, F_OK)) {
+                      break;
+                    }
                     opal_show_help_yyin = fopen(filename, "r");
                 }
             }
diff --git a/orte/mca/common/alps/common_alps.c b/orte/mca/common/alps/common_alps.c
index 9c34da803a4..b49b5cdd7b2 100644
--- a/orte/mca/common/alps/common_alps.c
+++ b/orte/mca/common/alps/common_alps.c
@@ -50,12 +50,15 @@ int orte_common_alps_proc_in_pagg(bool *flag)
         return ORTE_ERR_BAD_PARAM;
     }
 
-    fd = fopen(proc_job_file, "r");
-    if (fd == NULL) {
+    if (!access(proc_job_file, F_OK) || NULL == (fd = fopen(proc_job_file, "r"));
         *flag = 0;
     } else {
         snprintf(task_is_app_fname,sizeof(task_is_app_fname),
                  "/proc/self/task/%ld/task_is_app",syscall(SYS_gettid));
+        if(!access(task_is_app_fname, F_OK)) {
+            *flag = 0;
+            return rc;
+        }
         fd_task_is_app = fopen(task_is_app_fname, "r");
         if (fd_task_is_app != NULL) {   /* okay we're in a PAGG container,
                                            and we are an app task (not just a process
diff --git a/orte/mca/ess/singleton/ess_singleton_module.c b/orte/mca/ess/singleton/ess_singleton_module.c
index 7729b9bc0fd..366fcda9743 100644
--- a/orte/mca/ess/singleton/ess_singleton_module.c
+++ b/orte/mca/ess/singleton/ess_singleton_module.c
@@ -121,8 +121,7 @@ static int rte_init(void)
             }
 
             /* open the file and extract the uri */
-            fp = fopen(filename, "r");
-            if (NULL == fp) { /* can't find or read file! */
+            if (!access(filename, F_OK) || NULL == (fp = fopen(filename, "r"))) { /* can't find or read file! */
                 orte_show_help("help-orterun.txt", "orterun:ompi-server-filename-access", true,
                                "singleton", mca_ess_singleton_component.server_uri);
                 return ORTE_ERROR;
diff --git a/orte/mca/ras/alps/ras_alps_module.c b/orte/mca/ras/alps/ras_alps_module.c
index a8273dfd3ca..74b929b11f4 100644
--- a/orte/mca/ras/alps/ras_alps_module.c
+++ b/orte/mca/ras/alps/ras_alps_module.c
@@ -247,7 +247,7 @@ orte_ras_get_appinfo_path(void)
                             "ras:alps:allocate: Trying ALPS configuration "
                             "file: \"%s\"",
                             sysconfigs[i].path);
-        if (NULL == (fp = fopen(sysconfigs[i].path, "r"))) {
+        if (!access(sysconfigs[i].path, F_OK) || NULL == (fp = fopen(sysconfigs[i].path, "r"))) {
             int err = errno;
             opal_output_verbose(1, orte_ras_base_framework.framework_output,
                                 "ras:alps:allocate: Skipping ALPS "
diff --git a/orte/mca/ras/gridengine/ras_gridengine_module.c b/orte/mca/ras/gridengine/ras_gridengine_module.c
index 898fe9949ce..23ec985b5e6 100644
--- a/orte/mca/ras/gridengine/ras_gridengine_module.c
+++ b/orte/mca/ras/gridengine/ras_gridengine_module.c
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ static int orte_ras_gridengine_allocate(orte_job_t *jdata, opal_list_t *nodelist
     }
 
     /* check the PE_HOSTFILE before continuing on */
-    if (!(fp = fopen(pe_hostfile, "r"))) {
+    if (!access(pe_hostfile, F_OK) || !(fp = fopen(pe_hostfile, "r"))) {
         orte_show_help("help-ras-gridengine.txt", "cannot-read-pe-hostfile",
             true, pe_hostfile, strerror(errno));
         rc = ORTE_ERROR;
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ static int get_slot_count(char* node_name, int* slot_cnt)
     FILE *fp;
 
     /* check the PE_HOSTFILE before continuing on */
-    if (!(fp = fopen(pe_hostfile, "r"))) {
+    if (!access(pe_hostfile, F_OK) || !(fp = fopen(pe_hostfile, "r"))) {
         orte_show_help("help-ras-gridengine.txt", "cannot-read-pe-hostfile",
             true, pe_hostfile, strerror(errno));
         ORTE_ERROR_LOG(ORTE_ERROR);
diff --git a/orte/mca/ras/slurm/ras_slurm_module.c b/orte/mca/ras/slurm/ras_slurm_module.c
index 474d6e292d7..8dc5f8ab7ec 100644
--- a/orte/mca/ras/slurm/ras_slurm_module.c
+++ b/orte/mca/ras/slurm/ras_slurm_module.c
@@ -1185,7 +1185,7 @@ static int read_ip_port(char *filename, char **ip, uint16_t *port)
     bool found_port = false;
     bool found_ip = false;
 
-    if (NULL == (fp = fopen(filename, "r"))) {
+    if (!access(filename, F_OK) || NULL == (fp = fopen(filename, "r"))) {
         orte_show_help("help-ras-slurm.txt", "config-file-not-found", true, filename);
         return ORTE_ERR_SILENT;
     }
diff --git a/orte/mca/rmaps/seq/rmaps_seq.c b/orte/mca/rmaps/seq/rmaps_seq.c
index 9bbe2253964..f0eab9bfdc9 100644
--- a/orte/mca/rmaps/seq/rmaps_seq.c
+++ b/orte/mca/rmaps/seq/rmaps_seq.c
@@ -162,8 +162,8 @@ static int orte_rmaps_seq_map(orte_job_t *jdata)
     if (NULL != orte_default_hostfile) {
         char *hstname = NULL;
         /* open the file */
-        fp = fopen(orte_default_hostfile, "r");
-        if (NULL == fp) {
+        if (!access(orte_default_hostfile, F_OK) ||
+		NULL == (fp = fopen(orte_default_hostfile, "r"))) {
             ORTE_ERROR_LOG(ORTE_ERR_NOT_FOUND);
             rc = ORTE_ERR_NOT_FOUND;
             goto error;
@@ -269,8 +269,8 @@ static int orte_rmaps_seq_map(orte_job_t *jdata)
                                 "mca:rmaps:seq: using hostfile %s nodes on app %s", hosts, app->app);
             OBJ_CONSTRUCT(&sq_list, opal_list_t);
             /* open the file */
-            fp = fopen(hosts, "r");
-            if (NULL == fp) {
+            if(!access(hosts, F_OK) || 
+            		NULL == (fp = fopen(hosts, "r"))) {
                 ORTE_ERROR_LOG(ORTE_ERR_NOT_FOUND);
                 rc = ORTE_ERR_NOT_FOUND;
                 OBJ_DESTRUCT(&sq_list);
diff --git a/orte/mca/rtc/hwloc/rtc_hwloc.c b/orte/mca/rtc/hwloc/rtc_hwloc.c
index c684a998acb..7749bb21a69 100644
--- a/orte/mca/rtc/hwloc/rtc_hwloc.c
+++ b/orte/mca/rtc/hwloc/rtc_hwloc.c
@@ -113,6 +113,9 @@ static int init(void)
                                         &shmemaddr, shmemsize))) {
         /* we couldn't find a hole, so don't use the shmem support */
         if (4 < opal_output_get_verbosity(orte_rtc_base_framework.framework_output)) {
+            if (!access("/proc/self/maps", F_OK)) {
+                return ORTE_SUCCESS;
+            }
             FILE *file = fopen("/proc/self/maps", "r");
             if (file) {
                 char line[256];
@@ -572,6 +575,9 @@ static int find_hole(orte_rtc_hwloc_vm_hole_kind_t hkind,
     FILE *file;
     char line[96];
 
+    if (!access("/proc/self/maps", F_OK)) {
+      return ORTE_ERROR;
+    }
     file = fopen("/proc/self/maps", "r");
     if (!file) {
         return ORTE_ERROR;
diff --git a/orte/mca/schizo/alps/schizo_alps.c b/orte/mca/schizo/alps/schizo_alps.c
index 4c7db470921..5968ee28270 100644
--- a/orte/mca/schizo/alps/schizo_alps.c
+++ b/orte/mca/schizo/alps/schizo_alps.c
@@ -76,8 +76,11 @@ static orte_schizo_launch_environ_t check_launch_environment(void)
     opal_argv_append_nosize(&pushed_vals, "ALPS");
 
     /* see if we are running in a Cray PAGG container */
+    if (!access(proc_job_file, F_OK))
+      goto nojobfile;
     fd = fopen(proc_job_file, "r");
     if (NULL == fd) {
+    nojobfile:
         /* we are a singleton */
         myenv = ORTE_SCHIZO_MANAGED_SINGLETON;
         opal_argv_append_nosize(&pushed_envs, OPAL_MCA_PREFIX"ess");
@@ -92,6 +95,8 @@ static orte_schizo_launch_environ_t check_launch_environment(void)
         opal_argv_append_nosize(&pushed_vals, "pmi");
         snprintf(task_is_app_fname,sizeof(task_is_app_fname),
                  "/proc/self/task/%ld/task_is_app",syscall(SYS_gettid));
+        if (!access(task_is_app, F_OK))
+          goto done;
         fd_task_is_app = fopen(task_is_app_fname, "r");
         if (fd_task_is_app != NULL) {   /* okay we're in a PAGG container,
                                            and we are an app task (not just a process
@@ -99,6 +104,7 @@ static orte_schizo_launch_environ_t check_launch_environment(void)
             opal_argv_append_nosize(&pushed_envs, OPAL_MCA_PREFIX"pmix");
             opal_argv_append_nosize(&pushed_vals, "cray");
         }
+    done:
         fclose(fd);
     }
 
diff --git a/orte/mca/sstore/base/sstore_base_fns.c b/orte/mca/sstore/base/sstore_base_fns.c
index 665a94ec17c..099539e0a91 100644
--- a/orte/mca/sstore/base/sstore_base_fns.c
+++ b/orte/mca/sstore/base/sstore_base_fns.c
@@ -581,6 +581,7 @@ int orte_sstore_base_extract_global_metadata(orte_sstore_base_global_snapshot_in
     orte_process_name_t proc;
     opal_list_item_t* item = NULL;
     orte_sstore_base_local_snapshot_info_t *vpid_snapshot = NULL;
+    char *mdfname = global_snapshot->metadata_filename;
 
     /*
      * Cleanup the structure a bit, so we can refresh it below
@@ -602,7 +603,7 @@ int orte_sstore_base_extract_global_metadata(orte_sstore_base_global_snapshot_in
     /*
      * Open the metadata file
      */
-    if (NULL == (metadata = fopen(global_snapshot->metadata_filename, "r")) ) {
+    if (!access(mdfname, F_OK) || NULL == (metadata = fopen(mdfname, "r")) ) {
         opal_output(orte_sstore_base_framework.framework_output,
                     "sstore:base:extract_global_metadata() Unable to open the file (%s)\n",
                     global_snapshot->metadata_filename);
@@ -699,13 +700,14 @@ int orte_sstore_base_find_largest_seq_num(orte_sstore_base_global_snapshot_info_
     int exit_status = ORTE_SUCCESS;
     FILE *metadata = NULL;
     int tmp_seq_num = -1;
+    char *mdfname = global_snapshot->metadata_filename;
 
     *seq_num = -1;
 
     /*
      * Open the metadata file
      */
-    if (NULL == (metadata = fopen(global_snapshot->metadata_filename, "r")) ) {
+    if (!access(mdfname, F_OK) || NULL == (metadata = fopen(mdfname, "r")) ) {
         opal_output(orte_sstore_base_framework.framework_output,
                     "sstore:base:find_largest_seq_num() Unable to open the file (%s)\n",
                     global_snapshot->metadata_filename);
@@ -739,6 +741,7 @@ int orte_sstore_base_find_all_seq_nums(orte_sstore_base_global_snapshot_info_t *
     FILE *metadata = NULL;
     int tmp_seq_num = -1;
     char * tmp_str = NULL;
+    char *mdfname = global_snapshot->metadata_filename;
 
     *num_seq = 0;
     *seq_list = NULL;
@@ -746,7 +749,7 @@ int orte_sstore_base_find_all_seq_nums(orte_sstore_base_global_snapshot_info_t *
     /*
      * Open the metadata file
      */
-    if (NULL == (metadata = fopen(global_snapshot->metadata_filename, "r")) ) {
+    if (!access(mdfname, F_OK) || NULL == (metadata = fopen(mdfname, "r")) ) {
         opal_output(orte_sstore_base_framework.framework_output,
                     "sstore:base:find_all_seq_nums() Unable to open the file (%s)\n",
                     global_snapshot->metadata_filename);
diff --git a/orte/orted/orted_submit.c b/orte/orted/orted_submit.c
index 6e4c725cd78..62156e3c443 100644
--- a/orte/orted/orted_submit.c
+++ b/orte/orted/orted_submit.c
@@ -393,10 +393,13 @@ int orte_submit_init(int argc, char *argv[],
                 orte_show_help("help-orte-top.txt", "orte-top:hnp-filename-bad", true, "uri", orte_cmd_options.hnp);
                 exit(1);
             }
-
+            if (!access(filename, F_OK)) { /* can't find file! */
+                orte_show_help("help-orte-top.txt", "orte-top:hnp-filename-access", true, orte_cmd_options.hnp);
+                exit(1);
+            }
             /* open the file and extract the uri */
             fp = fopen(filename, "r");
-            if (NULL == fp) { /* can't find or read file! */
+            if (NULL == fp) { /* can't read file! */
                 orte_show_help("help-orte-top.txt", "orte-top:hnp-filename-access", true, orte_cmd_options.hnp);
                 exit(1);
             }
@@ -1884,7 +1887,11 @@ static int parse_appfile(orte_job_t *jdata, char *filename, char ***env)
     }
 
     /* Try to open the file */
-
+    if (!access(filename, F_OK)) {
+        orte_show_help("help-orterun.txt", "orterun:appfile-not-found", true,
+                       filename);
+        return ORTE_ERR_NOT_FOUND;
+    }
     fp = fopen(filename, "r");
     if (NULL == fp) {
         orte_show_help("help-orterun.txt", "orterun:appfile-not-found", true,
diff --git a/orte/orted/pmix/pmix_server_pub.c b/orte/orted/pmix/pmix_server_pub.c
index 0b26936854c..849a9e1623e 100644
--- a/orte/orted/pmix/pmix_server_pub.c
+++ b/orte/orted/pmix/pmix_server_pub.c
@@ -82,9 +82,14 @@ static int init_server(void)
                 return ORTE_ERR_BAD_PARAM;
             }
 
+            if (!access(filename, F_OK)) { /* can't find file! */
+              orte_show_help("help-orterun.txt", "orterun:ompi-server-filename-access", true,
+                             orte_basename, orte_data_server_uri);
+              return ORTE_ERR_BAD_PARAM;
+            }
             /* open the file and extract the uri */
             fp = fopen(filename, "r");
-            if (NULL == fp) { /* can't find or read file! */
+            if (NULL == fp) { /* can't read file! */
                 orte_show_help("help-orterun.txt", "orterun:ompi-server-filename-access", true,
                                orte_basename, orte_data_server_uri);
                 return ORTE_ERR_BAD_PARAM;
diff --git a/orte/test/mpi/pconnect.c b/orte/test/mpi/pconnect.c
index 1053c2b017f..230fe8080f2 100644
--- a/orte/test/mpi/pconnect.c
+++ b/orte/test/mpi/pconnect.c
@@ -41,8 +41,18 @@ int main(int argc, char* argv[])
 
     MPI_Init(&argc, &argv);
 
+    if (!access(argv[1], F_OK)) {
+      fprintf(stderr, "file %s not found\n", argv[1]);
+      exit(1);
+    }
+
     /* read the file */
     fp = fopen(argv[1], "r");
+    if(NULL == fp) {
+      fprintf(stderr, "could not open %s for reading\n", argv[1]);
+      exit(1);
+    }
+
     fgets(port, 1024, fp);
     port[strlen(port)-1] = '\0';  /* remove newline */
     fclose(fp);
diff --git a/orte/tools/orte-top/orte-top.c b/orte/tools/orte-top/orte-top.c
index 2111146b1ef..b718267f983 100644
--- a/orte/tools/orte-top/orte-top.c
+++ b/orte/tools/orte-top/orte-top.c
@@ -322,9 +322,14 @@ main(int argc, char *argv[])
                 exit(1);
             }
 
+            if (!access(filename, F_OK)) { /* can't find file! */
+                orte_show_help("help-orte-top.txt", "orte-top:hnp-filename-access", true, filename);
+                orte_finalize();
+                exit(1);
+            }
             /* open the file and extract the pid */
             fp = fopen(filename, "r");
-            if (NULL == fp) { /* can't find or read file! */
+            if (NULL == fp) { /* can't read file! */
                 orte_show_help("help-orte-top.txt", "orte-top:hnp-filename-access", true, filename);
                 orte_finalize();
                 exit(1);
@@ -399,9 +404,14 @@ main(int argc, char *argv[])
                 exit(1);
             }
 
+            if(!access(filename, F_OK)) { /* can't find file! */
+                orte_show_help("help-orte-top.txt", "orte-top:hnp-filename-access", true, filename);
+                orte_finalize();
+                exit(1);
+            }
             /* open the file and extract the uri */
             fp = fopen(filename, "r");
-            if (NULL == fp) { /* can't find or read file! */
+            if (NULL == fp) { /* can't read file! */
                 orte_show_help("help-orte-top.txt", "orte-top:hnp-filename-access", true, filename);
                 orte_finalize();
                 exit(1);
diff --git a/orte/util/hnp_contact.c b/orte/util/hnp_contact.c
index f7cf36f8374..4e965179062 100644
--- a/orte/util/hnp_contact.c
+++ b/orte/util/hnp_contact.c
@@ -108,13 +108,16 @@ int orte_read_hnp_contact_file(char *filename, orte_hnp_contact_t *hnp, bool con
     int rc;
     opal_value_t val;
 
+    if (!access(filename, F_OK))
+      /* failed on first access - wait and try again */
+      sleep(1);
+    if (!access(filename, F_OK))
+      /* failed twice - give up */
+      return ORTE_ERR_FILE_OPEN_FAILURE;
+
     fp = fopen(filename, "r");
-    if (NULL == fp) { /* failed on first read - wait and try again */
-        fp = fopen(filename, "r");
-        if (NULL == fp) { /* failed twice - give up */
-            return ORTE_ERR_FILE_OPEN_FAILURE;
-        }
-    }
+    if (NULL == fp)
+      return ORTE_ERR_FILE_OPEN_FAILURE;
 
     hnp_uri = orte_getline(fp);
     if (NULL == hnp_uri) {
diff --git a/orte/util/hostfile/hostfile.c b/orte/util/hostfile/hostfile.c
index f502d3bfa06..e6a2c7bf059 100644
--- a/orte/util/hostfile/hostfile.c
+++ b/orte/util/hostfile/hostfile.c
@@ -454,8 +454,11 @@ static int hostfile_parse(const char *hostfile, opal_list_t* updates,
     cur_hostfile_name = hostfile;
 
     orte_util_hostfile_done = false;
+    if (!access(hostfile, F_OK))
+      goto errpath;
     orte_util_hostfile_in = fopen(hostfile, "r");
     if (NULL == orte_util_hostfile_in) {
+errpath:
         if (NULL == orte_default_hostfile ||
             0 != strcmp(orte_default_hostfile, hostfile)) {
             /* not the default hostfile, so not finding it
diff --git a/oshmem/mca/memheap/base/memheap_base_static.c b/oshmem/mca/memheap/base/memheap_base_static.c
index edbb11aa310..00184e9ae3d 100644
--- a/oshmem/mca/memheap/base/memheap_base_static.c
+++ b/oshmem/mca/memheap/base/memheap_base_static.c
@@ -176,12 +176,15 @@ static int _load_segments(void)
 
     memheap_context.n_segments = 0;
     /* FIXME!!! Linux specific code */
+    if (!access("/proc/self/maps", F_OK)) {
+        MEMHEAP_ERROR("Cannot access /proc/self/maps");
+        return OSHMEM_ERROR;
+    }
     fp = fopen("/proc/self/maps", "r");
-    if (NULL == fp) {
+    if (fp == NULL) {
         MEMHEAP_ERROR("Failed to open /proc/self/maps");
         return OSHMEM_ERROR;
     }
-
     while (NULL != fgets(line, sizeof(line), fp)) {
         memset(&seg, 0, sizeof(seg));
         if (3 > sscanf(line,
diff --git a/oshmem/mca/sshmem/sysv/sshmem_sysv_module.c b/oshmem/mca/sshmem/sysv/sshmem_sysv_module.c
index a1d112da7d9..efda2d057bb 100644
--- a/oshmem/mca/sshmem/sysv/sshmem_sysv_module.c
+++ b/oshmem/mca/sshmem/sysv/sshmem_sysv_module.c
@@ -306,7 +306,7 @@ size_t sshmem_sysv_gethugepagesize(void)
     FILE *f;
 
     /* Cache the huge page size value */
-    if (huge_page_size == 0) {
+    if (huge_page_size == 0 && access("/proc/meminfo", F_OK)) {
         f = fopen("/proc/meminfo", "r");
         if (f != NULL) {
             while (fgets(buf, sizeof(buf), f)) {
diff --git a/test/util/opal_path_nfs.c b/test/util/opal_path_nfs.c
index b5fad7ae3dd..b59acb5f049 100644
--- a/test/util/opal_path_nfs.c
+++ b/test/util/opal_path_nfs.c
@@ -156,6 +156,8 @@ void get_mounts (int * num_dirs, char ** dirs[], bool * nfs[])
        because we would run this test on a system with a larger number
        of mount points than the array.  So just count and make sure to
        have an array large enough. */
+    if(!access("opal_path_nfs.out", F_OK))
+        goto out;
     file = fopen("opal_path_nfs.out", "r");
     int count = 0;
     while (NULL != fgets (buffer, SIZE, file)) {