diff --git a/share/functions/__fish_apropos.fish b/share/functions/__fish_apropos.fish
index 0e4d1a697..21026adc6 100644
--- a/share/functions/__fish_apropos.fish
+++ b/share/functions/__fish_apropos.fish
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ if test $status -eq 0 -a (count $sysver) -eq 3
 
         if test $age -ge $max_age
             test -d "$dir" || mkdir -m 700 -p $dir
-            /usr/libexec/makewhatis -o "$whatis" (/usr/bin/manpath | string split :) >/dev/null 2>&1 </dev/null &
+            /usr/libexec/makewhatis -o "$whatis" (/usr/bin/manpath | string split : | xargs readlink -f) >/dev/null 2>&1 </dev/null &
             disown $last_pid
         end
     end