diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 22a599a5..2255ffe8 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ Unlock powerful malware analysis with capa's new [VMRay sandbox](https://www.vmr
 ### Bug Fixes
 
 - fix duplicate features shown in vverbose mode @williballenthin #2323
+- fix code path reference in linter @williballenthin #2350
 
 ### capa explorer IDA Pro plugin
 
diff --git a/capa/helpers.py b/capa/helpers.py
index 86f4db69..ec0a9971 100644
--- a/capa/helpers.py
+++ b/capa/helpers.py
@@ -352,7 +352,11 @@ def is_cache_newer_than_rule_code(cache_dir: Path) -> bool:
     cache_timestamp = os.path.getmtime(latest_cache_file)
 
     # these are the relevant rules code files that could conflict with using an outdated cache
-    latest_rule_code_file = max([Path("capa/rules/__init__.py"), Path("capa/rules/cache.py")], key=os.path.getmtime)
+    # delayed import due to circular dependencies
+    import capa.rules
+    import capa.rules.cache
+
+    latest_rule_code_file = max([Path(capa.rules.__file__), Path(capa.rules.cache.__file__)], key=os.path.getmtime)
     rule_code_timestamp = os.path.getmtime(latest_rule_code_file)
 
     if rule_code_timestamp > cache_timestamp: