Files not saved on destination

When deploying articles with images, added using image field and media file selector, the article is transferred but there seems to be a problem writing the file. I get the following warning in my log on the destination:
Warning: filesize() [function.filesize]: stat failed for public://articles/delegatie.jpg in file_save() (line 570 of /home/xxx/public_html/includes/file.inc).

I'm assuming that it has something to do with permissions, but don't know where to look. Most search result talk about the use of the filefield_paths module, but I don't use that module.