diff --git a/icu4c/source/tools/genuca/genuca.cpp b/icu4c/source/tools/genuca/genuca.cpp
index 913e16a4de..a4430442d5 100644
--- a/icu4c/source/tools/genuca/genuca.cpp
+++ b/icu4c/source/tools/genuca/genuca.cpp
@@ -974,7 +974,7 @@ int main(int argc, char* argv[]) {
 
     /* Initialize ICU */
     u_init(&status);
-    if (U_FAILURE(status)) {
+    if (U_FAILURE(status) && status != U_FILE_ACCESS_ERROR) {
         fprintf(stderr, "%s: can not initialize ICU.  status = %s\n",
             argv[0], u_errorName(status));
         exit(1);