diff --git a/doc/src/sgml/func.sgml b/doc/src/sgml/func.sgml
index b3b78d2..d45a591 100644
--- a/doc/src/sgml/func.sgml
+++ b/doc/src/sgml/func.sgml
@@ -17877,7 +17877,8 @@ postgres=# SELECT * FROM pg_xlogfile_name_offset(pg_stop_backup());
     database cluster directory and the <varname>log_directory</> can be
     accessed.  Use a relative path for files in the cluster directory,
     and a path matching the <varname>log_directory</> configuration setting
-    for log files.  Use of these functions is restricted to superusers.
+    for log files.  Use of these functions is restricted to superusers and
+    replication roles.
    </para>
 
    <table id="functions-admin-genfile-table">
diff --git a/src/backend/utils/adt/genfile.c b/src/backend/utils/adt/genfile.c
index c4eb10d..046331d 100644
--- a/src/backend/utils/adt/genfile.c
+++ b/src/backend/utils/adt/genfile.c
@@ -194,10 +194,10 @@ pg_read_file(PG_FUNCTION_ARGS)
 	char	   *filename;
 	text	   *result;
 
-	if (!superuser())
+	if (!superuser() && !has_rolreplication(GetUserId()))
 		ereport(ERROR,
 				(errcode(ERRCODE_INSUFFICIENT_PRIVILEGE),
-				 (errmsg("must be superuser to read files"))));
+				 (errmsg("must be superuser or replication role to read files"))));
 
 	/* handle optional arguments */
 	if (PG_NARGS() >= 3)
@@ -235,10 +235,10 @@ pg_read_binary_file(PG_FUNCTION_ARGS)
 	char	   *filename;
 	bytea	   *result;
 
-	if (!superuser())
+	if (!superuser() && !has_rolreplication(GetUserId()))
 		ereport(ERROR,
 				(errcode(ERRCODE_INSUFFICIENT_PRIVILEGE),
-				 (errmsg("must be superuser to read files"))));
+				 (errmsg("must be superuser or replication role to read files"))));
 
 	/* handle optional arguments */
 	if (PG_NARGS() >= 3)
@@ -312,10 +312,10 @@ pg_stat_file(PG_FUNCTION_ARGS)
 	TupleDesc	tupdesc;
 	bool		missing_ok = false;
 
-	if (!superuser())
+	if (!superuser() && !has_rolreplication(GetUserId()))
 		ereport(ERROR,
 				(errcode(ERRCODE_INSUFFICIENT_PRIVILEGE),
-				 (errmsg("must be superuser to get file information"))));
+				 (errmsg("must be superuser or replication role to get file information"))));
 
 	/* check the optional argument */
 	if (PG_NARGS() == 2)
@@ -398,10 +398,10 @@ pg_ls_dir(PG_FUNCTION_ARGS)
 	directory_fctx *fctx;
 	MemoryContext oldcontext;
 
-	if (!superuser())
+	if (!superuser() && !has_rolreplication(GetUserId()))
 		ereport(ERROR,
 				(errcode(ERRCODE_INSUFFICIENT_PRIVILEGE),
-				 (errmsg("must be superuser to get directory listings"))));
+				 (errmsg("must be superuser or replication role to get directory listings"))));
 
 	if (SRF_IS_FIRSTCALL())
 	{