diff --git a/watch/inotify.go b/watch/inotify.go
index 76870d6..d86e724 100644
--- a/watch/inotify.go
+++ b/watch/inotify.go
@@ -45,7 +45,16 @@ func (fw *InotifyFileWatcher) BlockUntilExists(t *tomb.Tomb) error {
 		case evt, ok := <-events:
 			if !ok {
 				return fmt.Errorf("inotify watcher has been closed")
-			} else if filepath.Clean(evt.Name) == fw.Filename {
+			}
+			evtName, err := filepath.Abs(evt.Name)
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			fwFilename, err := filepath.Abs(fw.Filename)
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			if evtName == fwFilename {
 				return nil
 			}
 		case <-t.Dying():