diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index d2f1bc5ca..5b8a5bf1c 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ gxgo_upgrade:
 	go get -u github.com/whyrusleeping/gx-go
 
 path_check:
-	@bin/check_go_path
+	@bin/check_go_path $(realpath $(shell pwd))
 
 gx_check:
 	@bin/check_gx_program "gx" "0.3" 'Upgrade or install gx using your package manager or run `make gx_upgrade`'
diff --git a/bin/check_go_path b/bin/check_go_path
index eb157e29b..cc78615a5 100755
--- a/bin/check_go_path
+++ b/bin/check_go_path
@@ -1,20 +1,21 @@
 #!/bin/sh
 
+PWD=$1
+
+if [ -z "$PWD" ]; then
+	echo "must pass in your current working directory"
+	exit 1
+fi
+
 if [ -z "$GOPATH" ]; then
 	echo "GOPATH not set, you must have go configured properly to install ipfs"
 	exit 1
 fi
 
-if ! type -f realpath > /dev/null; then
-	echo "program 'realpath' not found, it is required for this check"
-	exit 1
-fi
-
-PWD=$(pwd)
-REALPWD=$(realpath "$PWD")
 EXPECTED="$GOPATH/src/github.com/ipfs/go-ipfs"
 
-if [ "$REALPWD" != "$EXPECTED" ]; then
+if [ "$PWD" != "$EXPECTED" ]; then
 	echo "go-ipfs must be built from within your \$GOPATH directory."
+	echo "expected '$EXPECTED' but got '$PWD'"
 	exit 1
 fi