diff --git a/packages/@vuepress/core/lib/prepare/loadTheme.js b/packages/@vuepress/core/lib/prepare/loadTheme.js
index c06820f18a..9cbbe2e118 100644
--- a/packages/@vuepress/core/lib/prepare/loadTheme.js
+++ b/packages/@vuepress/core/lib/prepare/loadTheme.js
@@ -33,9 +33,13 @@ module.exports = async function loadTheme (ctx) {
   const theme = siteConfig.theme || cliOptions.theme
   const themeResolver = getThemeResolver()
 
+  const absoluteThemePath = path.resolve(theme)
+  const useAbsolutePath =
+    fs.existsSync(absoluteThemePath) &&
+    (fs.readdirSync(absoluteThemePath)).length > 0
+
   const localThemePath = path.resolve(vuepressDir, 'theme')
   const useLocalTheme =
-    !fs.existsSync(theme) &&
     fs.existsSync(localThemePath) &&
     (fs.readdirSync(localThemePath)).length > 0
 
@@ -44,7 +48,10 @@ module.exports = async function loadTheme (ctx) {
   let themeName
   let themeShortcut
 
-  if (useLocalTheme) {
+  if (useAbsolutePath) {
+    themePath = absoluteThemePath
+    logger.tip(`\nApply theme located at ${chalk.gray(themePath)}...`)
+  } else if (useLocalTheme) {
     themePath = localThemePath
     logger.tip(`\nApply theme located at ${chalk.gray(themePath)}...`)
   } else if (isString(theme)) {