diff --git a/lib/jekyll/watcher.rb b/lib/jekyll/watcher.rb
index ea49ad6..6dc1962 100644
--- a/lib/jekyll/watcher.rb
+++ b/lib/jekyll/watcher.rb
@@ -92,6 +92,15 @@ def to_exclude(options)
       ].flatten
     end
 
+    def to_exclude_regexps(options)
+      pattern_prefix = Regexp.escape(options["source"] || "")
+
+      [
+        "^\\.jekyll\\-metadata",
+        options.fetch("watch_exclude", []).map(&pattern_prefix.method(:+)),
+      ].flatten.compact.map(&Regexp.method(:new))
+    end
+
     # Paths to ignore for the watch option
     #
     # options - A Hash of options passed to the command
@@ -116,7 +125,7 @@ def listen_ignore_paths(options)
         rescue ArgumentError
           # Could not find a relative path
         end
-      end.compact + [%r!^\.jekyll\-metadata!]
+      end.compact + to_exclude_regexps(options)
     end
 
     def sleep_forever