diff --git a/packages/node_modules/@node-red/nodes/core/storage/23-watch.js b/packages/node_modules/@node-red/nodes/core/storage/23-watch.js
index 4a1be0ec7..ccbdeba9f 100644
--- a/packages/node_modules/@node-red/nodes/core/storage/23-watch.js
+++ b/packages/node_modules/@node-red/nodes/core/storage/23-watch.js
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ module.exports = function(RED) {
         this.p = (this.files.length === 1) ? this.files[0] : JSON.stringify(this.files);
         const node = this;
 
-        const watcher = watch(this.files, { recursive: true });
+        const watcher = watch(this.files, { recursive: this.recursive });
 
         watcher.on('change', function (event, fpath) {
             const file = path.basename(fpath)
@@ -53,13 +53,7 @@ module.exports = function(RED) {
                 else if (stat.isCharacterDevice()) { type = "characterdevice"; }
                 else if (stat.isSocket()) { type = "socket"; }
                 else if (stat.isFIFO()) { type = "fifo"; }
-                else if (stat.isDirectory()) {
-                    type = "directory";
-                    if (node.recursive) {
-                        notifications.add([fpath]);
-                        notifications.add(getAllDirs(fpath));
-                    }
-                }
+                else if (stat.isDirectory()) { type = "directory"; }
                 else { type = "n/a"; }
             }
             msg.type = type;