diff --git a/src/tests/automated_tests/unit/test_unit_utilities.py b/src/tests/automated_tests/unit/test_unit_utilities.py
index c3e90679..3d3e5e6e 100644
--- a/src/tests/automated_tests/unit/test_unit_utilities.py
+++ b/src/tests/automated_tests/unit/test_unit_utilities.py
@@ -260,7 +260,18 @@ def test_list_directory(machine, targetPath, expected_response_code, headers):
 @skipif_not_uses_gateway
 @pytest.mark.parametrize("machine, targetPath, expected_response_code", DATA_LS)
 def test_list_directory_recursive(machine, targetPath, expected_response_code, headers):
-	params = {"targetPath": targetPath, "recursive" : "true"}
+	params = {"targetPath": targetPath, "recursive": "true"}
+	url = f"{UTILITIES_URL}/ls"
+	headers.update({"X-Machine-Name": machine})
+	resp = requests.get(url, headers=headers, params=params, verify=False)
+	print(json.dumps(resp.json(),indent=2))
+	print(resp.headers)
+	assert resp.status_code == expected_response_code
+
+@skipif_not_uses_gateway
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("machine, targetPath, expected_response_code", DATA_LS)
+def test_list_directory_follow_links(machine, targetPath, expected_response_code, headers):
+	params = {"targetPath": targetPath, "followLinks": "true"}
 	url = f"{UTILITIES_URL}/ls"
 	headers.update({"X-Machine-Name": machine})
 	resp = requests.get(url, headers=headers, params=params, verify=False)
diff --git a/src/utilities/utilities.py b/src/utilities/utilities.py
index ab553793..c0063db2 100644
--- a/src/utilities/utilities.py
+++ b/src/utilities/utilities.py
@@ -234,7 +234,9 @@ def remove_prefix(text, prefix):
         root_folder = ""
         for i in range(1,len(folders),2):
             if i==1:
-                root_folder = folders[i]+"/"
+                root_folder = (
+                    folders[i] + ("/" if not folders[i].endswith("/") else "")
+                )
             folder_name = remove_prefix(folders[i]+"/",root_folder)
             folder_content = folders[i+1]
             file_list += ls_parse_folder(folder_content,folder_name)
@@ -527,6 +529,9 @@ def common_fs_operation(request, command):
         if get_boolean_var(request.args.get("recursive", False)):
             # do not resolve UID and GID to names
             options += "-R "
+        if get_boolean_var(request.args.get("followLinks", False)):
+            # follow symbolic links
+            options += "-L "
         action = f"ls -l --quoting-style=c {options} --time-style=+%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%S -- '{targetPath}'"
     elif command == "mkdir":
         try: