diff --git a/lib/rules/no-unused-properties.js b/lib/rules/no-unused-properties.js
index 4c9c0e418..39c6a8267 100644
--- a/lib/rules/no-unused-properties.js
+++ b/lib/rules/no-unused-properties.js
@@ -433,7 +433,11 @@ module.exports = {
             node,
             new Set([GROUP_WATCHER])
           )) {
-            watcherNames.add(watcher.name)
+            let path
+            for (const seg of watcher.name.split('.')) {
+              path = path ? `${path}.${seg}` : seg
+              watcherNames.add(path)
+            }
           }
           for (const prop of utils.iterateProperties(node, groups)) {
             if (watcherNames.has(prop.name)) {
diff --git a/tests/lib/rules/no-unused-properties.js b/tests/lib/rules/no-unused-properties.js
index b9f984afc..7c37da2f8 100644
--- a/tests/lib/rules/no-unused-properties.js
+++ b/tests/lib/rules/no-unused-properties.js
@@ -248,6 +248,21 @@ tester.run('no-unused-properties', rule, {
       `,
       options: allOptions
     },
+    {
+      filename: 'test.vue',
+      code: `
+        <script>
+          export default {
+            props: ['foo'],
+            watch: {
+              'foo.bar'() {
+                alert('Increased!');
+              },
+            },
+          };
+        </script>
+      `
+    },
 
     // data used as a template identifier
     {