diff --git a/frappe/handler.py b/frappe/handler.py
index 4b35660e37..3892aedaa2 100644
--- a/frappe/handler.py
+++ b/frappe/handler.py
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import frappe
 import frappe.sessions
 import frappe.utils
 from frappe import _, is_whitelisted, ping
+from frappe.core.doctype.file.utils import find_file_by_url
 from frappe.core.doctype.server_script.server_script_utils import get_server_script_map
 from frappe.monitor import add_data_to_monitor
 from frappe.permissions import check_doctype_permission
@@ -230,8 +231,8 @@ def download_file(file_url: str):
 	Endpoints : download_file, frappe.core.doctype.file.file.download_file
 	URL Params : file_name = /path/to/file relative to site path
 	"""
-	file: File = frappe.get_doc("File", {"file_url": file_url})
-	if not file.is_downloadable():
+	file = find_file_by_url(file_url)
+	if not file:
 		raise frappe.PermissionError
 
 	frappe.local.response.filename = os.path.basename(file_url)