diff --git a/dotbot/cli.py b/dotbot/cli.py
index d77ab42..3ad5345 100644
--- a/dotbot/cli.py
+++ b/dotbot/cli.py
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@ def add_options(parser):
     parser.add_argument('-d', '--base-directory', nargs=1,
         dest='base_directory', help='execute commands from within BASEDIR',
         metavar='BASEDIR', required=True)
+    parser.add_argument('-r', '--no-realpath-base', action='store_false',
+        dest='base_directory_real_path', help='Do not eliminate symbolic links encountered in BASEDIR')
     parser.add_argument('-c', '--config-file', nargs=1, dest='config_file',
         help='run commands given in CONFIGFILE', metavar='CONFIGFILE',
         required=True)
@@ -58,7 +60,7 @@ def main():
         tasks = read_config(options.config_file[0])
         if not isinstance(tasks, list):
             raise ReadingError('Configuration file must be a list of tasks')
-        dispatcher = Dispatcher(options.base_directory[0])
+        dispatcher = Dispatcher(options.base_directory[0], options.base_directory_real_path)
         success = dispatcher.dispatch(tasks)
         if success:
             log.info('\n==> All tasks executed successfully')
diff --git a/dotbot/dispatcher.py b/dotbot/dispatcher.py
index d1a4f95..c412b8d 100644
--- a/dotbot/dispatcher.py
+++ b/dotbot/dispatcher.py
@@ -4,14 +4,16 @@ from .messenger import Messenger
 from .context import Context
 
 class Dispatcher(object):
-    def __init__(self, base_directory):
+    def __init__(self, base_directory, base_directory_real_path):
         self._log = Messenger()
-        self._setup_context(base_directory)
+        self._setup_context(base_directory, base_directory_real_path)
         self._load_plugins()
 
-    def _setup_context(self, base_directory):
-        path = os.path.abspath(os.path.realpath(
-            os.path.expanduser(base_directory)))
+    def _setup_context(self, base_directory, base_directory_real_path):
+        path = os.path.abspath(
+            os.path.expanduser(base_directory))
+        if base_directory_real_path:
+            path = os.path.realpath(path)
         if not os.path.exists(path):
             raise DispatchError('Nonexistent base directory')
         self._context = Context(path)