diff --git a/.github/workflows/e2e-cache-dependency-path.yml b/.github/workflows/e2e-cache-dependency-path.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..23246a2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/e2e-cache-dependency-path.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,93 @@
+name: Validate cache with cache-dependency-path option
+
+on:
+  push:
+    branches:
+      - main
+      - releases/*
+    paths-ignore:
+      - '**.md'
+  pull_request:
+    paths-ignore:
+      - '**.md'
+
+defaults:
+  run:
+    shell: bash
+
+jobs:
+  gradle1-save:
+    runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      matrix:
+        os: [macos-latest, windows-latest, ubuntu-latest]
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@v3
+      - name: Run setup-java with the cache for gradle
+        uses: ./
+        id: setup-java
+        with:
+          distribution: 'adopt'
+          java-version: '11'
+          cache: gradle
+          cache-dependency-path: __tests__/cache/gradle1/*.gradle*
+      - name: Create files to cache
+        # Need to avoid using Gradle daemon to stabilize the save process on Windows
+        # https://github.com/actions/cache/issues/454#issuecomment-840493935
+        run: |
+          gradle downloadDependencies --no-daemon -p __tests__/cache/gradle1
+          if [ ! -d ~/.gradle/caches ]; then
+            echo "::error::The ~/.gradle/caches directory does not exist unexpectedly"
+            exit 1
+          fi
+  gradle1-restore:
+    runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      matrix:
+        os: [macos-latest, windows-latest, ubuntu-latest]
+    needs: gradle1-save
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@v3
+      - name: Run setup-java with the cache for gradle
+        uses: ./
+        id: setup-java
+        with:
+          distribution: 'adopt'
+          java-version: '11'
+          cache: gradle
+          cache-dependency-path: __tests__/cache/gradle1/*.gradle*
+      - name: Confirm that ~/.gradle/caches directory has been made
+        run: |
+          if [ ! -d ~/.gradle/caches ]; then
+            echo "::error::The ~/.gradle/caches directory does not exist unexpectedly"
+            exit 1
+          fi
+          ls ~/.gradle/caches/
+  gradle2-restore:
+    runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      matrix:
+        os: [macos-latest, windows-latest, ubuntu-latest]
+    needs: gradle1-save
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@v3
+      - name: Run setup-java with the cache for gradle
+        uses: ./
+        id: setup-java
+        with:
+          distribution: 'adopt'
+          java-version: '11'
+          cache: gradle
+          cache-dependency-path: __tests__/cache/gradle2/*.gradle*
+      - name: Confirm that ~/.gradle/caches directory has not been made
+        run: |
+          if [ -d ~/.gradle/caches ]; then
+            echo "::error::The ~/.gradle/caches directory exists unexpectedly"
+            exit 1
+          fi
diff --git a/.github/workflows/e2e-cache.yml b/.github/workflows/e2e-cache.yml
index e66e804..34a07a5 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/e2e-cache.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/e2e-cache.yml
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ jobs:
         # Need to avoid using Gradle daemon to stabilize the save process on Windows
         # https://github.com/actions/cache/issues/454#issuecomment-840493935
         run: |
-          gradle downloadDependencies --no-daemon -p __tests__/cache/gradle
+          gradle downloadDependencies --no-daemon -p __tests__/cache/gradle1
           if [ ! -d ~/.gradle/caches ]; then
             echo "::error::The ~/.gradle/caches directory does not exist unexpectedly"
             exit 1
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 2a33308..beecd71 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -41,6 +41,8 @@ This action allows you to work with Java and Scala projects.
 
   - `cache`: Quick [setup caching](#caching-packages-dependencies) for the dependencies managed through one of the predefined package managers. It can be one of "maven", "gradle" or "sbt".
 
+  - `cache-dependency-path`: The path to a dependency file: pom.xml, build.gradle, build.sbt, etc. This option can be used with the `cache` option. If this option is omitted, the action searches for the dependency file in the entire repository. This option supports wildcards and a list of file names for caching multiple dependencies.
+
   #### Maven options
   The action has a bunch of inputs to generate maven's [settings.xml](https://maven.apache.org/settings.html) on the fly and pass the values to Apache Maven GPG Plugin as well as Apache Maven Toolchains. See [advanced usage](docs/advanced-usage.md) for more.
 
@@ -115,10 +117,13 @@ Currently, the following distributions are supported:
 
 ### Caching packages dependencies
 The action has a built-in functionality for caching and restoring dependencies. It uses [toolkit/cache](https://github.com/actions/toolkit/tree/main/packages/cache) under hood for caching dependencies but requires less configuration settings. Supported package managers are gradle, maven and sbt. The format of the used cache key is `setup-java-${{ platform }}-${{ packageManager }}-${{ fileHash }}`, where the hash is based on the following files:
+
 - gradle: `**/*.gradle*`, `**/gradle-wrapper.properties`, `buildSrc/**/Versions.kt`, `buildSrc/**/Dependencies.kt`, `gradle/*.versions.toml`, and `**/versions.properties`
 - maven: `**/pom.xml`
 - sbt: all sbt build definition files `**/*.sbt`, `**/project/build.properties`, `**/project/**.scala`, `**/project/**.sbt`
 
+When the option `cache-dependency-path` is specified, the hash is based on the matching file. This option supports wildcards and a list of file names, and is especially useful for monorepos.
+
 The workflow output `cache-hit` is set to indicate if an exact match was found for the key [as actions/cache does](https://github.com/actions/cache/tree/main#outputs).
 
 The cache input is optional, and caching is turned off by default.
@@ -132,6 +137,9 @@ steps:
     distribution: 'temurin'
     java-version: '17'
     cache: 'gradle'
+    cache-dependency-path: | # optional
+      sub-project/*.gradle*
+      sub-project/**/gradle-wrapper.properties
 - run: ./gradlew build --no-daemon
 ```
 
@@ -144,6 +152,7 @@ steps:
     distribution: 'temurin'
     java-version: '17'
     cache: 'maven'
+    cache-dependency-path: 'sub-project/pom.xml' # optional
 - name: Build with Maven
   run: mvn -B package --file pom.xml
 ```
@@ -157,6 +166,9 @@ steps:
     distribution: 'temurin'
     java-version: '17'
     cache: 'sbt'
+    cache-dependency-path: | # optional
+      sub-project/build.sbt
+      sub-project/project/build.properties
 - name: Build with SBT
   run: sbt package
 ```
diff --git a/__tests__/cache.test.ts b/__tests__/cache.test.ts
index f6932a7..9762fb9 100644
--- a/__tests__/cache.test.ts
+++ b/__tests__/cache.test.ts
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import * as fs from 'fs';
 import * as os from 'os';
 import * as core from '@actions/core';
 import * as cache from '@actions/cache';
+import * as glob from '@actions/glob';
 
 describe('dependency cache', () => {
   const ORIGINAL_RUNNER_OS = process.env['RUNNER_OS'];
@@ -64,6 +65,10 @@ describe('dependency cache', () => {
       ReturnType<typeof cache.restoreCache>,
       Parameters<typeof cache.restoreCache>
     >;
+    let spyGlobHashFiles: jest.SpyInstance<
+      ReturnType<typeof glob.hashFiles>,
+      Parameters<typeof glob.hashFiles>
+    >;
 
     beforeEach(() => {
       spyCacheRestore = jest
@@ -71,18 +76,19 @@ describe('dependency cache', () => {
         .mockImplementation((paths: string[], primaryKey: string) =>
           Promise.resolve(undefined)
         );
+      spyGlobHashFiles = jest.spyOn(glob, 'hashFiles');
       spyWarning.mockImplementation(() => null);
     });
 
     it('throws error if unsupported package manager specified', () => {
-      return expect(restore('ant')).rejects.toThrow(
+      return expect(restore('ant', '')).rejects.toThrow(
         'unknown package manager specified: ant'
       );
     });
 
     describe('for maven', () => {
       it('throws error if no pom.xml found', async () => {
-        await expect(restore('maven')).rejects.toThrow(
+        await expect(restore('maven', '')).rejects.toThrow(
           `No file in ${projectRoot(
             workspace
           )} matched to [**/pom.xml], make sure you have checked out the target repository`
@@ -91,15 +97,16 @@ describe('dependency cache', () => {
       it('downloads cache', async () => {
         createFile(join(workspace, 'pom.xml'));
 
-        await restore('maven');
+        await restore('maven', '');
         expect(spyCacheRestore).toHaveBeenCalled();
+        expect(spyGlobHashFiles).toHaveBeenCalledWith('**/pom.xml');
         expect(spyWarning).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
         expect(spyInfo).toHaveBeenCalledWith('maven cache is not found');
       });
     });
     describe('for gradle', () => {
       it('throws error if no build.gradle found', async () => {
-        await expect(restore('gradle')).rejects.toThrow(
+        await expect(restore('gradle', '')).rejects.toThrow(
           `No file in ${projectRoot(
             workspace
           )} matched to [**/*.gradle*,**/gradle-wrapper.properties,buildSrc/**/Versions.kt,buildSrc/**/Dependencies.kt,gradle/*.versions.toml,**/versions.properties], make sure you have checked out the target repository`
@@ -108,16 +115,22 @@ describe('dependency cache', () => {
       it('downloads cache based on build.gradle', async () => {
         createFile(join(workspace, 'build.gradle'));
 
-        await restore('gradle');
+        await restore('gradle', '');
         expect(spyCacheRestore).toHaveBeenCalled();
+        expect(spyGlobHashFiles).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+          '**/*.gradle*\n**/gradle-wrapper.properties\nbuildSrc/**/Versions.kt\nbuildSrc/**/Dependencies.kt\ngradle/*.versions.toml\n**/versions.properties'
+        );
         expect(spyWarning).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
         expect(spyInfo).toHaveBeenCalledWith('gradle cache is not found');
       });
       it('downloads cache based on build.gradle.kts', async () => {
         createFile(join(workspace, 'build.gradle.kts'));
 
-        await restore('gradle');
+        await restore('gradle', '');
         expect(spyCacheRestore).toHaveBeenCalled();
+        expect(spyGlobHashFiles).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+          '**/*.gradle*\n**/gradle-wrapper.properties\nbuildSrc/**/Versions.kt\nbuildSrc/**/Dependencies.kt\ngradle/*.versions.toml\n**/versions.properties'
+        );
         expect(spyWarning).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
         expect(spyInfo).toHaveBeenCalledWith('gradle cache is not found');
       });
@@ -125,24 +138,30 @@ describe('dependency cache', () => {
         createDirectory(join(workspace, 'gradle'));
         createFile(join(workspace, 'gradle', 'libs.versions.toml'));
 
-        await restore('gradle');
+        await restore('gradle', '');
         expect(spyCacheRestore).toHaveBeenCalled();
+        expect(spyGlobHashFiles).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+          '**/*.gradle*\n**/gradle-wrapper.properties\nbuildSrc/**/Versions.kt\nbuildSrc/**/Dependencies.kt\ngradle/*.versions.toml\n**/versions.properties'
+        );
+        expect(spyWarning).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+        expect(spyInfo).toHaveBeenCalledWith('gradle cache is not found');
+      });
+      it('downloads cache based on buildSrc/Versions.kt', async () => {
+        createDirectory(join(workspace, 'buildSrc'));
+        createFile(join(workspace, 'buildSrc', 'Versions.kt'));
+
+        await restore('gradle', '');
+        expect(spyCacheRestore).toHaveBeenCalled();
+        expect(spyGlobHashFiles).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+          '**/*.gradle*\n**/gradle-wrapper.properties\nbuildSrc/**/Versions.kt\nbuildSrc/**/Dependencies.kt\ngradle/*.versions.toml\n**/versions.properties'
+        );
         expect(spyWarning).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
         expect(spyInfo).toHaveBeenCalledWith('gradle cache is not found');
       });
     });
-    it('downloads cache based on buildSrc/Versions.kt', async () => {
-      createDirectory(join(workspace, 'buildSrc'));
-      createFile(join(workspace, 'buildSrc', 'Versions.kt'));
-
-      await restore('gradle');
-      expect(spyCacheRestore).toHaveBeenCalled();
-      expect(spyWarning).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
-      expect(spyInfo).toHaveBeenCalledWith('gradle cache is not found');
-    });
     describe('for sbt', () => {
       it('throws error if no build.sbt found', async () => {
-        await expect(restore('sbt')).rejects.toThrow(
+        await expect(restore('sbt', '')).rejects.toThrow(
           `No file in ${projectRoot(
             workspace
           )} matched to [**/*.sbt,**/project/build.properties,**/project/**.scala,**/project/**.sbt], make sure you have checked out the target repository`
@@ -151,8 +170,11 @@ describe('dependency cache', () => {
       it('downloads cache', async () => {
         createFile(join(workspace, 'build.sbt'));
 
-        await restore('sbt');
+        await restore('sbt', '');
         expect(spyCacheRestore).toHaveBeenCalled();
+        expect(spyGlobHashFiles).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+          '**/*.sbt\n**/project/build.properties\n**/project/**.scala\n**/project/**.sbt'
+        );
         expect(spyWarning).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
         expect(spyInfo).toHaveBeenCalledWith('sbt cache is not found');
       });
@@ -161,11 +183,11 @@ describe('dependency cache', () => {
         createDirectory(join(workspace, 'project'));
         createFile(join(workspace, 'project/DependenciesV1.scala'));
 
-        await restore('sbt');
+        await restore('sbt', '');
         const firstCall = spySaveState.mock.calls.toString();
 
         spySaveState.mockClear();
-        await restore('sbt');
+        await restore('sbt', '');
         const secondCall = spySaveState.mock.calls.toString();
 
         // Make sure multiple restores produce the same cache
@@ -173,7 +195,7 @@ describe('dependency cache', () => {
 
         spySaveState.mockClear();
         createFile(join(workspace, 'project/DependenciesV2.scala'));
-        await restore('sbt');
+        await restore('sbt', '');
         const thirdCall = spySaveState.mock.calls.toString();
 
         expect(firstCall).not.toBe(thirdCall);
@@ -182,11 +204,55 @@ describe('dependency cache', () => {
     it('downloads cache based on versions.properties', async () => {
       createFile(join(workspace, 'versions.properties'));
 
-      await restore('gradle');
+      await restore('gradle', '');
       expect(spyCacheRestore).toHaveBeenCalled();
+      expect(spyGlobHashFiles).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+        '**/*.gradle*\n**/gradle-wrapper.properties\nbuildSrc/**/Versions.kt\nbuildSrc/**/Dependencies.kt\ngradle/*.versions.toml\n**/versions.properties'
+      );
       expect(spyWarning).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
       expect(spyInfo).toHaveBeenCalledWith('gradle cache is not found');
     });
+    describe('cache-dependency-path', () => {
+      it('throws error if no matching dependency file found', async () => {
+        createFile(join(workspace, 'build.gradle.kts'));
+        await expect(
+          restore('gradle', 'sub-project/**/build.gradle.kts')
+        ).rejects.toThrow(
+          `No file in ${projectRoot(
+            workspace
+          )} matched to [sub-project/**/build.gradle.kts], make sure you have checked out the target repository`
+        );
+      });
+      it('downloads cache based on the specified pattern', async () => {
+        createFile(join(workspace, 'build.gradle.kts'));
+        createDirectory(join(workspace, 'sub-project1'));
+        createFile(join(workspace, 'sub-project1', 'build.gradle.kts'));
+        createDirectory(join(workspace, 'sub-project2'));
+        createFile(join(workspace, 'sub-project2', 'build.gradle.kts'));
+
+        await restore('gradle', 'build.gradle.kts');
+        expect(spyCacheRestore).toHaveBeenCalled();
+        expect(spyGlobHashFiles).toHaveBeenCalledWith('build.gradle.kts');
+        expect(spyWarning).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+        expect(spyInfo).toHaveBeenCalledWith('gradle cache is not found');
+
+        await restore('gradle', 'sub-project1/**/*.gradle*\n');
+        expect(spyCacheRestore).toHaveBeenCalled();
+        expect(spyGlobHashFiles).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+          'sub-project1/**/*.gradle*'
+        );
+        expect(spyWarning).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+        expect(spyInfo).toHaveBeenCalledWith('gradle cache is not found');
+
+        await restore('gradle', '*.gradle*\nsub-project2/**/*.gradle*\n');
+        expect(spyCacheRestore).toHaveBeenCalled();
+        expect(spyGlobHashFiles).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+          '*.gradle*\nsub-project2/**/*.gradle*'
+        );
+        expect(spyWarning).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+        expect(spyInfo).toHaveBeenCalledWith('gradle cache is not found');
+      });
+    });
   });
   describe('save', () => {
     let spyCacheSave: jest.SpyInstance<
diff --git a/__tests__/cache/gradle/.gitignore b/__tests__/cache/gradle1/.gitignore
similarity index 100%
rename from __tests__/cache/gradle/.gitignore
rename to __tests__/cache/gradle1/.gitignore
diff --git a/__tests__/cache/gradle/build.gradle b/__tests__/cache/gradle1/build.gradle
similarity index 100%
rename from __tests__/cache/gradle/build.gradle
rename to __tests__/cache/gradle1/build.gradle
diff --git a/__tests__/cache/gradle2/.gitignore b/__tests__/cache/gradle2/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..85888bb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/__tests__/cache/gradle2/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+.gradle
+**/build/
+!src/**/build/
+
+# Ignore Gradle GUI config
+gradle-app.setting
+
+# Avoid ignoring Gradle wrapper jar file (.jar files are usually ignored)
+!gradle-wrapper.jar
+
+# Cache of project
+.gradletasknamecache
diff --git a/__tests__/cache/gradle2/build.gradle b/__tests__/cache/gradle2/build.gradle
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a65d41b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/__tests__/cache/gradle2/build.gradle
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+plugins {
+    id 'java'
+}
+repositories {
+    mavenCentral()
+}
+dependencies {
+    implementation 'org.junit.jupiter:junit-jupiter-api:5.7.2'
+}
+tasks.register('downloadDependencies') {
+    doLast {
+        def total = configurations.compileClasspath.inject (0) { sum, file ->
+            sum + file.length()
+        }
+        println total
+    }
+}
diff --git a/action.yml b/action.yml
index 2c0f7ab..afc90a0 100644
--- a/action.yml
+++ b/action.yml
@@ -56,6 +56,9 @@ inputs:
   cache:
     description: 'Name of the build platform to cache dependencies. It can be "maven", "gradle" or "sbt".'
     required: false
+  cache-dependency-path:
+    description: 'The path to a dependency file: pom.xml, build.gradle, build.sbt, etc. This option can be used with the `cache` option. If this option is omitted, the action searches for the dependency file in the entire repository. This option supports wildcards and a list of file names for caching multiple dependencies.'
+    required: false
   job-status:
     description: 'Workaround to pass job status to post job step. This variable is not intended for manual setting'
     default: ${{ job.status }}
diff --git a/dist/cleanup/index.js b/dist/cleanup/index.js
index f302d02..a094808 100644
--- a/dist/cleanup/index.js
+++ b/dist/cleanup/index.js
@@ -89724,28 +89724,31 @@ function findPackageManager(id) {
 /**
  * A function that generates a cache key to use.
  * Format of the generated key will be "${{ platform }}-${{ id }}-${{ fileHash }}"".
- * If there is no file matched to {@link PackageManager.path}, the generated key ends with a dash (-).
  * @see {@link https://docs.github.com/en/actions/guides/caching-dependencies-to-speed-up-workflows#matching-a-cache-key|spec of cache key}
  */
-function computeCacheKey(packageManager) {
+function computeCacheKey(packageManager, cacheDependencyPath) {
     return __awaiter(this, void 0, void 0, function* () {
-        const hash = yield glob.hashFiles(packageManager.pattern.join('\n'));
-        return `${CACHE_KEY_PREFIX}-${process.env['RUNNER_OS']}-${packageManager.id}-${hash}`;
+        const pattern = cacheDependencyPath
+            ? cacheDependencyPath.trim().split('\n')
+            : packageManager.pattern;
+        const fileHash = yield glob.hashFiles(pattern.join('\n'));
+        if (!fileHash) {
+            throw new Error(`No file in ${process.cwd()} matched to [${pattern}], make sure you have checked out the target repository`);
+        }
+        return `${CACHE_KEY_PREFIX}-${process.env['RUNNER_OS']}-${packageManager.id}-${fileHash}`;
     });
 }
 /**
  * Restore the dependency cache
  * @param id ID of the package manager, should be "maven" or "gradle"
+ * @param cacheDependencyPath The path to a dependency file
  */
-function restore(id) {
+function restore(id, cacheDependencyPath) {
     return __awaiter(this, void 0, void 0, function* () {
         const packageManager = findPackageManager(id);
-        const primaryKey = yield computeCacheKey(packageManager);
+        const primaryKey = yield computeCacheKey(packageManager, cacheDependencyPath);
         core.debug(`primary key is ${primaryKey}`);
         core.saveState(STATE_CACHE_PRIMARY_KEY, primaryKey);
-        if (primaryKey.endsWith('-')) {
-            throw new Error(`No file in ${process.cwd()} matched to [${packageManager.pattern}], make sure you have checked out the target repository`);
-        }
         // No "restoreKeys" is set, to start with a clear cache after dependency update (see https://github.com/actions/setup-java/issues/269)
         const matchedKey = yield cache.restoreCache(packageManager.path, primaryKey);
         if (matchedKey) {
@@ -89922,7 +89925,7 @@ else {
 "use strict";
 
 Object.defineProperty(exports, "__esModule", ({ value: true }));
-exports.DISTRIBUTIONS_ONLY_MAJOR_VERSION = exports.INPUT_MVN_TOOLCHAIN_VENDOR = exports.INPUT_MVN_TOOLCHAIN_ID = exports.MVN_TOOLCHAINS_FILE = exports.MVN_SETTINGS_FILE = exports.M2_DIR = exports.STATE_GPG_PRIVATE_KEY_FINGERPRINT = exports.INPUT_JOB_STATUS = exports.INPUT_CACHE = exports.INPUT_DEFAULT_GPG_PASSPHRASE = exports.INPUT_DEFAULT_GPG_PRIVATE_KEY = exports.INPUT_GPG_PASSPHRASE = exports.INPUT_GPG_PRIVATE_KEY = exports.INPUT_OVERWRITE_SETTINGS = exports.INPUT_SETTINGS_PATH = exports.INPUT_SERVER_PASSWORD = exports.INPUT_SERVER_USERNAME = exports.INPUT_SERVER_ID = exports.INPUT_CHECK_LATEST = exports.INPUT_JDK_FILE = exports.INPUT_DISTRIBUTION = exports.INPUT_JAVA_PACKAGE = exports.INPUT_ARCHITECTURE = exports.INPUT_JAVA_VERSION_FILE = exports.INPUT_JAVA_VERSION = exports.MACOS_JAVA_CONTENT_POSTFIX = void 0;
+exports.DISTRIBUTIONS_ONLY_MAJOR_VERSION = exports.INPUT_MVN_TOOLCHAIN_VENDOR = exports.INPUT_MVN_TOOLCHAIN_ID = exports.MVN_TOOLCHAINS_FILE = exports.MVN_SETTINGS_FILE = exports.M2_DIR = exports.STATE_GPG_PRIVATE_KEY_FINGERPRINT = exports.INPUT_JOB_STATUS = exports.INPUT_CACHE_DEPENDENCY_PATH = exports.INPUT_CACHE = exports.INPUT_DEFAULT_GPG_PASSPHRASE = exports.INPUT_DEFAULT_GPG_PRIVATE_KEY = exports.INPUT_GPG_PASSPHRASE = exports.INPUT_GPG_PRIVATE_KEY = exports.INPUT_OVERWRITE_SETTINGS = exports.INPUT_SETTINGS_PATH = exports.INPUT_SERVER_PASSWORD = exports.INPUT_SERVER_USERNAME = exports.INPUT_SERVER_ID = exports.INPUT_CHECK_LATEST = exports.INPUT_JDK_FILE = exports.INPUT_DISTRIBUTION = exports.INPUT_JAVA_PACKAGE = exports.INPUT_ARCHITECTURE = exports.INPUT_JAVA_VERSION_FILE = exports.INPUT_JAVA_VERSION = exports.MACOS_JAVA_CONTENT_POSTFIX = void 0;
 exports.MACOS_JAVA_CONTENT_POSTFIX = 'Contents/Home';
 exports.INPUT_JAVA_VERSION = 'java-version';
 exports.INPUT_JAVA_VERSION_FILE = 'java-version-file';
@@ -89941,6 +89944,7 @@ exports.INPUT_GPG_PASSPHRASE = 'gpg-passphrase';
 exports.INPUT_DEFAULT_GPG_PRIVATE_KEY = undefined;
 exports.INPUT_DEFAULT_GPG_PASSPHRASE = 'GPG_PASSPHRASE';
 exports.INPUT_CACHE = 'cache';
+exports.INPUT_CACHE_DEPENDENCY_PATH = 'cache-dependency-path';
 exports.INPUT_JOB_STATUS = 'job-status';
 exports.STATE_GPG_PRIVATE_KEY_FINGERPRINT = 'gpg-private-key-fingerprint';
 exports.M2_DIR = '.m2';
diff --git a/dist/setup/index.js b/dist/setup/index.js
index a81030c..6d46bf3 100644
--- a/dist/setup/index.js
+++ b/dist/setup/index.js
@@ -124929,28 +124929,31 @@ function findPackageManager(id) {
 /**
  * A function that generates a cache key to use.
  * Format of the generated key will be "${{ platform }}-${{ id }}-${{ fileHash }}"".
- * If there is no file matched to {@link PackageManager.path}, the generated key ends with a dash (-).
  * @see {@link https://docs.github.com/en/actions/guides/caching-dependencies-to-speed-up-workflows#matching-a-cache-key|spec of cache key}
  */
-function computeCacheKey(packageManager) {
+function computeCacheKey(packageManager, cacheDependencyPath) {
     return __awaiter(this, void 0, void 0, function* () {
-        const hash = yield glob.hashFiles(packageManager.pattern.join('\n'));
-        return `${CACHE_KEY_PREFIX}-${process.env['RUNNER_OS']}-${packageManager.id}-${hash}`;
+        const pattern = cacheDependencyPath
+            ? cacheDependencyPath.trim().split('\n')
+            : packageManager.pattern;
+        const fileHash = yield glob.hashFiles(pattern.join('\n'));
+        if (!fileHash) {
+            throw new Error(`No file in ${process.cwd()} matched to [${pattern}], make sure you have checked out the target repository`);
+        }
+        return `${CACHE_KEY_PREFIX}-${process.env['RUNNER_OS']}-${packageManager.id}-${fileHash}`;
     });
 }
 /**
  * Restore the dependency cache
  * @param id ID of the package manager, should be "maven" or "gradle"
+ * @param cacheDependencyPath The path to a dependency file
  */
-function restore(id) {
+function restore(id, cacheDependencyPath) {
     return __awaiter(this, void 0, void 0, function* () {
         const packageManager = findPackageManager(id);
-        const primaryKey = yield computeCacheKey(packageManager);
+        const primaryKey = yield computeCacheKey(packageManager, cacheDependencyPath);
         core.debug(`primary key is ${primaryKey}`);
         core.saveState(STATE_CACHE_PRIMARY_KEY, primaryKey);
-        if (primaryKey.endsWith('-')) {
-            throw new Error(`No file in ${process.cwd()} matched to [${packageManager.pattern}], make sure you have checked out the target repository`);
-        }
         // No "restoreKeys" is set, to start with a clear cache after dependency update (see https://github.com/actions/setup-java/issues/269)
         const matchedKey = yield cache.restoreCache(packageManager.path, primaryKey);
         if (matchedKey) {
@@ -125026,7 +125029,7 @@ function isProbablyGradleDaemonProblem(packageManager, error) {
 "use strict";
 
 Object.defineProperty(exports, "__esModule", ({ value: true }));
-exports.DISTRIBUTIONS_ONLY_MAJOR_VERSION = exports.INPUT_MVN_TOOLCHAIN_VENDOR = exports.INPUT_MVN_TOOLCHAIN_ID = exports.MVN_TOOLCHAINS_FILE = exports.MVN_SETTINGS_FILE = exports.M2_DIR = exports.STATE_GPG_PRIVATE_KEY_FINGERPRINT = exports.INPUT_JOB_STATUS = exports.INPUT_CACHE = exports.INPUT_DEFAULT_GPG_PASSPHRASE = exports.INPUT_DEFAULT_GPG_PRIVATE_KEY = exports.INPUT_GPG_PASSPHRASE = exports.INPUT_GPG_PRIVATE_KEY = exports.INPUT_OVERWRITE_SETTINGS = exports.INPUT_SETTINGS_PATH = exports.INPUT_SERVER_PASSWORD = exports.INPUT_SERVER_USERNAME = exports.INPUT_SERVER_ID = exports.INPUT_CHECK_LATEST = exports.INPUT_JDK_FILE = exports.INPUT_DISTRIBUTION = exports.INPUT_JAVA_PACKAGE = exports.INPUT_ARCHITECTURE = exports.INPUT_JAVA_VERSION_FILE = exports.INPUT_JAVA_VERSION = exports.MACOS_JAVA_CONTENT_POSTFIX = void 0;
+exports.DISTRIBUTIONS_ONLY_MAJOR_VERSION = exports.INPUT_MVN_TOOLCHAIN_VENDOR = exports.INPUT_MVN_TOOLCHAIN_ID = exports.MVN_TOOLCHAINS_FILE = exports.MVN_SETTINGS_FILE = exports.M2_DIR = exports.STATE_GPG_PRIVATE_KEY_FINGERPRINT = exports.INPUT_JOB_STATUS = exports.INPUT_CACHE_DEPENDENCY_PATH = exports.INPUT_CACHE = exports.INPUT_DEFAULT_GPG_PASSPHRASE = exports.INPUT_DEFAULT_GPG_PRIVATE_KEY = exports.INPUT_GPG_PASSPHRASE = exports.INPUT_GPG_PRIVATE_KEY = exports.INPUT_OVERWRITE_SETTINGS = exports.INPUT_SETTINGS_PATH = exports.INPUT_SERVER_PASSWORD = exports.INPUT_SERVER_USERNAME = exports.INPUT_SERVER_ID = exports.INPUT_CHECK_LATEST = exports.INPUT_JDK_FILE = exports.INPUT_DISTRIBUTION = exports.INPUT_JAVA_PACKAGE = exports.INPUT_ARCHITECTURE = exports.INPUT_JAVA_VERSION_FILE = exports.INPUT_JAVA_VERSION = exports.MACOS_JAVA_CONTENT_POSTFIX = void 0;
 exports.MACOS_JAVA_CONTENT_POSTFIX = 'Contents/Home';
 exports.INPUT_JAVA_VERSION = 'java-version';
 exports.INPUT_JAVA_VERSION_FILE = 'java-version-file';
@@ -125045,6 +125048,7 @@ exports.INPUT_GPG_PASSPHRASE = 'gpg-passphrase';
 exports.INPUT_DEFAULT_GPG_PRIVATE_KEY = undefined;
 exports.INPUT_DEFAULT_GPG_PASSPHRASE = 'GPG_PASSPHRASE';
 exports.INPUT_CACHE = 'cache';
+exports.INPUT_CACHE_DEPENDENCY_PATH = 'cache-dependency-path';
 exports.INPUT_JOB_STATUS = 'job-status';
 exports.STATE_GPG_PRIVATE_KEY_FINGERPRINT = 'gpg-private-key-fingerprint';
 exports.M2_DIR = '.m2';
@@ -127061,6 +127065,7 @@ function run() {
             const packageType = core.getInput(constants.INPUT_JAVA_PACKAGE);
             const jdkFile = core.getInput(constants.INPUT_JDK_FILE);
             const cache = core.getInput(constants.INPUT_CACHE);
+            const cacheDependencyPath = core.getInput(constants.INPUT_CACHE_DEPENDENCY_PATH);
             const checkLatest = util_1.getBooleanInput(constants.INPUT_CHECK_LATEST, false);
             let toolchainIds = core.getMultilineInput(constants.INPUT_MVN_TOOLCHAIN_ID);
             core.startGroup('Installed distributions');
@@ -127096,7 +127101,7 @@ function run() {
             core.info(`##[add-matcher]${path.join(matchersPath, 'java.json')}`);
             yield auth.configureAuthentication();
             if (cache && util_1.isCacheFeatureAvailable()) {
-                yield cache_1.restore(cache);
+                yield cache_1.restore(cache, cacheDependencyPath);
             }
         }
         catch (error) {
diff --git a/src/cache.ts b/src/cache.ts
index 7dd8da9..a4b5a4c 100644
--- a/src/cache.ts
+++ b/src/cache.ts
@@ -83,31 +83,34 @@ function findPackageManager(id: string): PackageManager {
 /**
  * A function that generates a cache key to use.
  * Format of the generated key will be "${{ platform }}-${{ id }}-${{ fileHash }}"".
- * If there is no file matched to {@link PackageManager.path}, the generated key ends with a dash (-).
  * @see {@link https://docs.github.com/en/actions/guides/caching-dependencies-to-speed-up-workflows#matching-a-cache-key|spec of cache key}
  */
-async function computeCacheKey(packageManager: PackageManager) {
-  const hash = await glob.hashFiles(packageManager.pattern.join('\n'));
-  return `${CACHE_KEY_PREFIX}-${process.env['RUNNER_OS']}-${packageManager.id}-${hash}`;
+async function computeCacheKey(
+  packageManager: PackageManager,
+  cacheDependencyPath: string
+) {
+  const pattern = cacheDependencyPath
+    ? cacheDependencyPath.trim().split('\n')
+    : packageManager.pattern;
+  const fileHash = await glob.hashFiles(pattern.join('\n'));
+  if (!fileHash) {
+    throw new Error(
+      `No file in ${process.cwd()} matched to [${pattern}], make sure you have checked out the target repository`
+    );
+  }
+  return `${CACHE_KEY_PREFIX}-${process.env['RUNNER_OS']}-${packageManager.id}-${fileHash}`;
 }
 
 /**
  * Restore the dependency cache
  * @param id ID of the package manager, should be "maven" or "gradle"
+ * @param cacheDependencyPath The path to a dependency file
  */
-export async function restore(id: string) {
+export async function restore(id: string, cacheDependencyPath: string) {
   const packageManager = findPackageManager(id);
-  const primaryKey = await computeCacheKey(packageManager);
-
+  const primaryKey = await computeCacheKey(packageManager, cacheDependencyPath);
   core.debug(`primary key is ${primaryKey}`);
   core.saveState(STATE_CACHE_PRIMARY_KEY, primaryKey);
-  if (primaryKey.endsWith('-')) {
-    throw new Error(
-      `No file in ${process.cwd()} matched to [${
-        packageManager.pattern
-      }], make sure you have checked out the target repository`
-    );
-  }
 
   // No "restoreKeys" is set, to start with a clear cache after dependency update (see https://github.com/actions/setup-java/issues/269)
   const matchedKey = await cache.restoreCache(packageManager.path, primaryKey);
diff --git a/src/constants.ts b/src/constants.ts
index 9aa213f..93af286 100644
--- a/src/constants.ts
+++ b/src/constants.ts
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ export const INPUT_DEFAULT_GPG_PRIVATE_KEY = undefined;
 export const INPUT_DEFAULT_GPG_PASSPHRASE = 'GPG_PASSPHRASE';
 
 export const INPUT_CACHE = 'cache';
+export const INPUT_CACHE_DEPENDENCY_PATH = 'cache-dependency-path';
 export const INPUT_JOB_STATUS = 'job-status';
 
 export const STATE_GPG_PRIVATE_KEY_FINGERPRINT = 'gpg-private-key-fingerprint';
diff --git a/src/setup-java.ts b/src/setup-java.ts
index 4168d53..68d234f 100644
--- a/src/setup-java.ts
+++ b/src/setup-java.ts
@@ -24,6 +24,9 @@ async function run() {
     const packageType = core.getInput(constants.INPUT_JAVA_PACKAGE);
     const jdkFile = core.getInput(constants.INPUT_JDK_FILE);
     const cache = core.getInput(constants.INPUT_CACHE);
+    const cacheDependencyPath = core.getInput(
+      constants.INPUT_CACHE_DEPENDENCY_PATH
+    );
     const checkLatest = getBooleanInput(constants.INPUT_CHECK_LATEST, false);
     let toolchainIds = core.getMultilineInput(constants.INPUT_MVN_TOOLCHAIN_ID);
 
@@ -73,7 +76,7 @@ async function run() {
 
     await auth.configureAuthentication();
     if (cache && isCacheFeatureAvailable()) {
-      await restore(cache);
+      await restore(cache, cacheDependencyPath);
     }
   } catch (error) {
     core.setFailed(error.message);