diff --git a/highlighters/main/main-highlighter.zsh b/highlighters/main/main-highlighter.zsh
index b60db29..dd3af08 100644
--- a/highlighters/main/main-highlighter.zsh
+++ b/highlighters/main/main-highlighter.zsh
@@ -1103,10 +1103,13 @@ _zsh_highlight_main_highlighter_check_path()
   [[ -e $expanded_path ]] && return 0
 
   # Search the path in CDPATH
-  local cdpath_dir
-  for cdpath_dir in $cdpath ; do
-    [[ -e "$cdpath_dir/$expanded_path" ]] && return 0
-  done
+  if [[ $expanded_path != /* ]]; then
+    local cdpath_dir
+    # TODO: When we've dropped support for pre-5.0.6 zsh, use the *(Y1) glob qualifier here.
+    for cdpath_dir in $cdpath ; do
+      [[ -e "$cdpath_dir/$expanded_path" ]] && return 0
+    done
+  fi
 
   # If dirname($1) doesn't exist, neither does $1.
   [[ ! -d ${expanded_path:h} ]] && return 1
diff --git a/highlighters/main/test-data/cdpath-abspath.zsh b/highlighters/main/test-data/cdpath-abspath.zsh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..64707b2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/highlighters/main/test-data/cdpath-abspath.zsh
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env zsh
+# -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Copyright (c) 2020 zsh-syntax-highlighting contributors
+# All rights reserved.
+#
+# Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, are permitted
+# provided that the following conditions are met:
+#
+#  * Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this list of conditions
+#    and the following disclaimer.
+#  * Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice, this list of
+#    conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation and/or other materials provided
+#    with the distribution.
+#  * Neither the name of the zsh-syntax-highlighting contributors nor the names of its contributors
+#    may be used to endorse or promote products derived from this software without specific prior
+#    written permission.
+#
+# THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR
+# IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
+# FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER OR
+# CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL
+# DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE,
+# DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER
+# IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT
+# OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+# -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# -*- mode: zsh; sh-indentation: 2; indent-tabs-mode: nil; sh-basic-offset: 2; -*-
+# vim: ft=zsh sw=2 ts=2 et
+# -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+cdpath=( $PWD )
+mkdir foo foo/bar
+
+BUFFER="/foo"
+
+expected_region_highlight=(
+  '1 4 unknown-token' # x (/)
+)