diff --git a/tests/test_cli.py b/tests/test_cli.py
index 5c16064faa..cf1d8c8d8a 100644
--- a/tests/test_cli.py
+++ b/tests/test_cli.py
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ def check_cmd(config_arg):
 
 def test_load_workspace(server, monkeypatch):
     # this is an implementation test. Since this testsuite may be ran within
-    # a tmux session by the developer themselv, delete the TMUX variable
+    # a tmux session by the developer himself, delete the TMUX variable
     # temporarily.
     monkeypatch.delenv('TMUX', raising=False)
     session_file = curjoin("workspacebuilder/two_pane.yaml")
@@ -278,6 +278,37 @@ def test_load_workspace(server, monkeypatch):
     assert session.name == 'sampleconfig'
 
 
+def test_load_symlinked_workspace(server, tmpdir, monkeypatch):
+    # this is an implementation test. Since this testsuite may be ran within
+    # a tmux session by the developer himself, delete the TMUX variable
+    # temporarily.
+    monkeypatch.delenv('TMUX', raising=False)
+
+    realtemp = tmpdir.mkdir('myrealtemp')
+    linktemp = tmpdir.join('symlinktemp')
+    linktemp.mksymlinkto(realtemp)
+    projfile = linktemp.join('simple.yaml')
+
+    projfile.write("""
+session_name: samplesimple
+start_directory: './'
+windows:
+- panes:
+    - echo 'hey'""")
+
+    # open it detached
+    session = load_workspace(
+        projfile.strpath,
+        socket_name=server.socket_name,
+        detached=True
+    )
+    pane = session.attached_window.attached_pane
+
+    assert isinstance(session, libtmux.Session)
+    assert session.name == 'samplesimple'
+    assert pane.current_path == realtemp.strpath
+
+
 def test_regression_00132_session_name_with_dots(tmpdir, server, session):
     yaml_config = curjoin("workspacebuilder/regression_00132_dots.yaml")
     cli_args = [yaml_config]
diff --git a/tmuxp/cli.py b/tmuxp/cli.py
index 4369ee0068..70296a7f67 100644
--- a/tmuxp/cli.py
+++ b/tmuxp/cli.py
@@ -218,6 +218,8 @@ def load_workspace(
     :param type: string
 
     """
+    # get the canonical path, eliminating any symlinks
+    config_file = os.path.realpath(config_file)
 
     sconfig = kaptan.Kaptan()
     sconfig = sconfig.import_config(config_file).get()