diff --git a/d2cli/watch.go b/d2cli/watch.go
index 14498ff67..b721e7726 100644
--- a/d2cli/watch.go
+++ b/d2cli/watch.go
@@ -519,6 +519,7 @@ func (w *watcher) handleRoot(hw http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	recompile := false
 	if boardPath != w.boardPath {
 		w.boardPath = boardPath
+		recompile = true
 	}
 	w.boardpathMu.Unlock()
 	if recompile {