diff --git a/src/calibre/library/cli.py b/src/calibre/library/cli.py
index 58175f215b..2fdec62ff0 100644
--- a/src/calibre/library/cli.py
+++ b/src/calibre/library/cli.py
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ def get_parser(usage):
 def get_db(dbpath, options):
     global do_notify
     if options.library_path is not None:
-        dbpath = options.library_path
+        dbpath = os.path.expanduser(options.library_path)
     if dbpath is None:
         raise ValueError('No saved library path, either run the GUI or use the'
                 ' --with-library option')