diff --git a/cmake/modules/hunter_pack_git_submodule.cmake b/cmake/modules/hunter_pack_git_submodule.cmake
index 58049fa4d0..5d095003f5 100644
--- a/cmake/modules/hunter_pack_git_submodule.cmake
+++ b/cmake/modules/hunter_pack_git_submodule.cmake
@@ -120,6 +120,9 @@ function(hunter_pack_git_submodule)
   endif()
 
   set(head_file "${output}")
+  if(NOT IS_ABSOLUTE "${head_file}")
+    set(head_file "${submodule_dir}/${head_file}")
+  endif()
   if(NOT EXISTS "${head_file}")
     hunter_internal_error("File not found: '${head_file}'")
   endif()
@@ -163,6 +166,9 @@ function(hunter_pack_git_submodule)
   endif()
 
   set(ref_file "${output}")
+  if(NOT IS_ABSOLUTE "${ref_file}")
+    set(ref_file "${submodule_dir}/${ref_file}")
+  endif()
   if(NOT EXISTS "${ref_file}")
     hunter_internal_error("File not found: ${ref_file}")
   endif()