diff --git a/quadtree.py b/quadtree.py
index f1c4b1d..fc00b01 100644
--- a/quadtree.py
+++ b/quadtree.py
@@ -426,9 +426,6 @@ class QuadtreeGen(object):
             needs_rerender = False
             get_region_mtime = world.get_region_mtime
             for col, row, chunkx, chunky, regionfile in chunks:
-                # don't even check if it's not in the regionlist
-                if self.world.regionlist and region._filename not in self.world.regionlist:
-                    continue
                 
                 # bail early if forcerender is set
                 if self.forcerender:
@@ -439,7 +436,11 @@ class QuadtreeGen(object):
                 region,regionMtime = get_region_mtime(regionfile)
                 if regionMtime <= tile_mtime:
                     continue
-                
+               
+                # don't even check if it's not in the regionlist
+                if self.world.regionlist and os.path.abspath(region._filename) not in self.world.regionlist:
+                    continue
+               
                 # checking chunk mtime
                 if region.get_chunk_timestamp(chunkx, chunky) > tile_mtime:
                     needs_rerender = True
diff --git a/world.py b/world.py
index 564d193..7d4ce0d 100644
--- a/world.py
+++ b/world.py
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ class World(object):
         logging.info("Scanning regions")
         regionfiles = {}
         self.regions = {}
-        self.regionlist = regionlist # a list of paths
+        self.regionlist = map(os.path.abspath, regionlist) # a list of paths
         for x, y, regionfile in self._iterate_regionfiles():
             mcr = self.reload_region(regionfile) 
             mcr.get_chunk_info()