diff --git a/packages/nuxt/src/core/plugins/import-protection.ts b/packages/nuxt/src/core/plugins/import-protection.ts
index 3826ff6b6b..2646b3dd78 100644
--- a/packages/nuxt/src/core/plugins/import-protection.ts
+++ b/packages/nuxt/src/core/plugins/import-protection.ts
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ interface ImportProtectionOptions {
 
 export const vueAppPatterns = (nuxt: Nuxt) => [
   [/^(nuxt3|nuxt)$/, '`nuxt3`/`nuxt` cannot be imported directly. Instead, import runtime Nuxt composables from `#app` or `#imports`.'],
-  [/nuxt\.config/, 'Importing directly from a `nuxt.config` file is not allowed. Instead, use runtime config or a module.'],
+  [/^((|~|~~|@|@@)\/)?nuxt\.config(\.|$)/, 'Importing directly from a `nuxt.config` file is not allowed. Instead, use runtime config or a module.'],
   [/(^|node_modules\/)@vue\/composition-api/],
   ...nuxt.options.modules.filter(m => typeof m === 'string').map((m: string) =>
     [new RegExp(`^${escapeRE(m)}$`), 'Importing directly from module entry points is not allowed.']),