diff --git a/awx/settings/production.py b/awx/settings/production.py
index b5d4ad4437..cda057c087 100644
--- a/awx/settings/production.py
+++ b/awx/settings/production.py
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ JOBOUTPUT_ROOT = '/var/lib/awx/job_status/'
 SCHEDULE_METADATA_LOCATION = '/var/lib/awx/.tower_cycle'
 
 # Ansible base virtualenv paths and enablement
-BASE_VENV_PATH = "/var/lib/awx/venv"
+BASE_VENV_PATH = os.path.realpath("/var/lib/awx/venv")
 ANSIBLE_VENV_PATH = os.path.join(BASE_VENV_PATH, "ansible")
 
 # Tower base virtualenv paths and enablement