diff --git a/packages/babel-core/src/config/files/configuration.js b/packages/babel-core/src/config/files/configuration.js
index 8a3bed914fab..28ce05a380fc 100644
--- a/packages/babel-core/src/config/files/configuration.js
+++ b/packages/babel-core/src/config/files/configuration.js
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ const readConfigJS = makeStrongCache(function* readConfigJS(
   }>,
 ): Handler<ConfigFile | null> {
   if (!fs.exists.sync(filepath)) {
-    cache.forever();
+    cache.never();
     return null;
   }