diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/dialogs/choose_library.py b/src/calibre/gui2/dialogs/choose_library.py
index c3d5a1d26d..bf1741cd87 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/dialogs/choose_library.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/dialogs/choose_library.py
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ class ChooseLibrary(QDialog, Ui_Dialog):
         if not text:
             return error_dialog(self, _('No location'), _('No location selected'),
                     show=True)
-        loc = os.path.abspath()
+        loc = os.path.abspath(text)
         if not loc or not os.path.exists(loc) or not self.check_action(action,
                 loc):
             return