diff --git a/gitea.py b/gitea.py
index 6183f1b..7d617e4 100644
--- a/gitea.py
+++ b/gitea.py
@@ -47,8 +47,7 @@ fi
 """
 
 def write_when_new(doit, filename, content, executable=False):
-    if executable:
-        executable = 0o100  # file mode u+x
+    newmode = 0o755 is executable else 0o644
     if content is None:
         lines = []
     else:
@@ -61,14 +60,14 @@ def write_when_new(doit, filename, content, executable=False):
         filemode = os.stat(filename).st_mode
     except FileNotFoundError:
         old = None
-        filemode = 0o644
-    if old == content and (filemode & executable == executable):
+        filemode = 0
+    if old == content and (filemode | newmode == filemode):
         return False
     if doit:
         if lines:
             with open(filename, 'w') as fil:
                 fil.write(content)
-            os.chmod(filename, filemode + executable)
+            os.chmod(filename, newmode)
         else:
             os.remove(filename)
         return True