diff --git a/autogpt/workspace/workspace.py b/autogpt/workspace/workspace.py
index 6d90f854044..07186e73517 100644
--- a/autogpt/workspace/workspace.py
+++ b/autogpt/workspace/workspace.py
@@ -123,7 +123,11 @@ def _sanitize_path(
         logger.debug(f"Resolved root as '{root}'")
 
         # Allow exception for absolute paths if they are contained in your workspace directory.
-        if relative_path.is_absolute() and not relative_path.is_relative_to(root):
+        if (
+            relative_path.is_absolute()
+            and restrict_to_root
+            and not relative_path.is_relative_to(root)
+        ):
             raise ValueError(
                 f"Attempted to access absolute path '{relative_path}' in workspace '{root}'."
             )