diff --git a/git/repo/base.py b/git/repo/base.py
index 1eb5fe362..95eff3cc5 100644
--- a/git/repo/base.py
+++ b/git/repo/base.py
@@ -296,6 +296,16 @@ def __init__(
         else:
             self.odb = odbt(rootpath)
 
+        # Check dubious ownership
+        try:
+            if not self.bare:
+                _ = self.git.status()
+        except GitCommandError as err:
+            if "detected dubious ownership" in err.stderr:
+                err_msg = f"Detected dubious ownership in repository at: {epath}"
+                raise InvalidGitRepositoryError(err_msg) from None
+            raise
+
     def __enter__(self) -> "Repo":
         return self