diff --git a/openpype/modules/deadline/plugins/publish/submit_maya_deadline.py b/openpype/modules/deadline/plugins/publish/submit_maya_deadline.py
index 8f776a3371..8562c85f7d 100644
--- a/openpype/modules/deadline/plugins/publish/submit_maya_deadline.py
+++ b/openpype/modules/deadline/plugins/publish/submit_maya_deadline.py
@@ -440,7 +440,10 @@ class MayaSubmitDeadline(pyblish.api.InstancePlugin):
 
         output_filename_0 = filename_0
 
-        dirname = os.path.dirname(output_filename_0)
+        # this is needed because renderman handles directory and file
+        # prefixes separately
+        if self._instance.data["renderer"] == "renderman":
+            dirname = os.path.dirname(output_filename_0)
 
         # Create render folder ----------------------------------------------
         try: