diff --git a/lisp/filenotify.el b/lisp/filenotify.el
index e9f8d4e515d..6025f35cb6e 100644
--- a/lisp/filenotify.el
+++ b/lisp/filenotify.el
@@ -339,7 +339,6 @@ file-notify--add-watch-inotify
   "Add a watch for FILE in DIR with FLAGS, using inotify."
   (inotify-add-watch dir
                      (append
-                      '(dont-follow)
                       (and (memq 'change flags)
                            '(create delete delete-self modify move-self move))
                       (and (memq 'attribute-change flags)