diff --git a/src/Core/Configure/FileConfigTrait.php b/src/Core/Configure/FileConfigTrait.php
index 106b649703e..f695596fbde 100644
--- a/src/Core/Configure/FileConfigTrait.php
+++ b/src/Core/Configure/FileConfigTrait.php
@@ -56,10 +56,14 @@ protected function _getFilePath($key, $checkExists = false)
 
         $file .= $this->_extension;
 
-        if ($checkExists && !is_file($file) && !is_file(realpath($file))) {
-            throw new Exception(sprintf('Could not load configuration file: %s', $file));
+        if (!$checkExists || is_file($file)) {
+            return $file
         }
 
-        return $file;
+        if (is_file(realpath($file))) {
+            return realpath($file);
+        }
+
+        throw new Exception(sprintf('Could not load configuration file: %s', $file));
     }
 }