diff --git a/t/t2025-worktree-add.sh b/t/t2025-worktree-add.sh
index 286bba35d8..d83a9f0fdc 100755
--- a/t/t2025-worktree-add.sh
+++ b/t/t2025-worktree-add.sh
@@ -570,4 +570,16 @@ test_expect_success '"add" an existing locked but missing worktree' '
 	git worktree add --force --force --detach gnoo
 '
 
+test_expect_success '"add" should not fail because of another bad worktree' '
+	git init add-fail &&
+	(
+		cd add-fail &&
+		test_commit first &&
+		mkdir sub &&
+		git worktree add sub/to-be-deleted &&
+		rm -rf sub &&
+		git worktree add second
+	)
+'
+
 test_done
diff --git a/worktree.c b/worktree.c
index d6a0ee7f73..c79b3e42bb 100644
--- a/worktree.c
+++ b/worktree.c
@@ -222,9 +222,12 @@ struct worktree *find_worktree(struct worktree **list,
 		free(to_free);
 		return NULL;
 	}
-	for (; *list; list++)
-		if (!fspathcmp(path, real_path((*list)->path)))
+	for (; *list; list++) {
+		const char *wt_path = real_path_if_valid((*list)->path);
+
+		if (wt_path && !fspathcmp(path, wt_path))
 			break;
+	}
 	free(path);
 	free(to_free);
 	return *list;