diff --git a/lib/DirectoryWatcher.js b/lib/DirectoryWatcher.js
index 104f40a..b2bc39f 100644
--- a/lib/DirectoryWatcher.js
+++ b/lib/DirectoryWatcher.js
@@ -653,12 +653,6 @@ class DirectoryWatcher extends EventEmitter {
 								true,
 								"scan (file)"
 							);
-							if (
-								this.watcherManager.options.followSymlinks &&
-								stats.isSymbolicLink()
-							) {
-								fs.stat(itemPath, handleStats);
-							}
 						} else if (stats.isDirectory()) {
 							if (!initial || !this.directories.has(itemPath))
 								this.setDirectory(
@@ -670,7 +664,11 @@ class DirectoryWatcher extends EventEmitter {
 						}
 						itemFinished();
 					};
-					fs.lstat(itemPath, handleStats);
+					if (this.watcherManager.options.followSymlinks) {
+						fs.stat(itemPath, handleStats);
+					} else {
+						fs.lstat(itemPath, handleStats);
+					}
 				}
 				itemFinished();
 			});