diff --git a/pelican/__init__.py b/pelican/__init__.py
index 5cf89927..0d4d1605 100644
--- a/pelican/__init__.py
+++ b/pelican/__init__.py
@@ -321,7 +321,7 @@ def main():
                 'settings': file_watcher(args.settings)}
 
     for static_path in settings.get("STATIC_PATHS", []):
-        watchers[static_path] = file_watcher(static_path)
+        watchers[static_path] = folder_watcher(static_path, [''], pelican.ignore_files)
 
     try:
         if args.autoreload: