diff --git a/IPython/html/utils.py b/IPython/html/utils.py
index 3269e54..806ac94 100644
--- a/IPython/html/utils.py
+++ b/IPython/html/utils.py
@@ -101,12 +101,14 @@ def is_hidden(abs_path, abs_root=''):
     inside_root = abs_path[len(abs_root):]
     if any(part.startswith('.') for part in inside_root.split(os.sep)):
         return True
-
-    # check that path can be listed
-    try:
-        os.listdir(abs_path)
-    except Exception:
-        return True
+    
+    # check that dirs can be listed
+    # may fail on Windows junctions or non-user-readable dirs
+    if os.path.isdir(abs_path):
+        try:
+            os.listdir(abs_path)
+        except OSError:
+            return True
     
     # check UF_HIDDEN on any location up to root
     path = abs_path
@@ -114,7 +116,7 @@ def is_hidden(abs_path, abs_root=''):
         try:
             # may fail on Windows junctions
             st = os.stat(path)
-        except Exception:
+        except OSError:
             return True
         if getattr(st, 'st_flags', 0) & UF_HIDDEN:
             return True