diff --git a/aider/utils.py b/aider/utils.py
index 834ffa195..f8d843eec 100644
--- a/aider/utils.py
+++ b/aider/utils.py
@@ -95,7 +95,10 @@ def is_image_file(file_name):
 
 def safe_abs_path(res):
     "Gives an abs path, which safely returns a full (not 8.3) windows path"
-    res = Path(res).resolve()
+    try:
+        res = Path(res).resolve()
+    except (RuntimeError, OSError):
+        res = Path(res).absolute()
     return str(res)
 
 
diff --git a/tests/basic/test_utils.py b/tests/basic/test_utils.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9f5c0a54b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/basic/test_utils.py
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+import os
+
+from aider.utils import safe_abs_path
+
+
+def test_safe_abs_path_symlink_loop(tmp_path):
+    # Create circular symlink: a -> b -> a
+    link_a = tmp_path / "link_a"
+    link_b = tmp_path / "link_b"
+    link_a.symlink_to(link_b)
+    link_b.symlink_to(link_a)
+
+    # safe_abs_path must not raise, and must return an absolute path
+    result = safe_abs_path(str(link_a))
+    assert os.path.isabs(result)