diff --git a/python/private/stage1_bootstrap_template.sh b/python/private/stage1_bootstrap_template.sh
index a984344647..552fe50339 100644
--- a/python/private/stage1_bootstrap_template.sh
+++ b/python/private/stage1_bootstrap_template.sh
@@ -97,7 +97,17 @@ else
       if [[ ! -L "$stub_filename" ]]; then
         break
       fi
-      stub_filename=$(readlink $stub_filename)
+      stub_filename_target=$(readlink $stub_filename)
+      if [[ "$stub_filename_target" == /* ]]; then
+        stub_filename="$stub_filename_target"
+      else
+        stub_filename="${stub_filename%/*}/$stub_filename_target"
+      fi
+      unset stub_filename_target
+      if [[ ! -e "$stub_filename" ]]; then
+        echo >&2 "Unable to find runfiles directory for $1: dangling symlink: $stub_filename"
+        exit 1
+      fi
     done
     echo >&2 "Unable to find runfiles directory for $1"
     exit 1