diff --git a/abspath.c b/abspath.c
index 1d56f5ed9f..0393213e5a 100644
--- a/abspath.c
+++ b/abspath.c
@@ -62,7 +62,9 @@ static void get_root_part(struct strbuf *resolved, struct strbuf *remaining)
 }
 
 /* We allow "recursive" symbolic links. Only within reason, though. */
-#define MAXSYMLINKS 5
+#ifndef MAXSYMLINKS
+#define MAXSYMLINKS 32
+#endif
 
 /*
  * Return the real path (i.e., absolute path, with symlinks resolved