diff --git a/collects/compiler/bundle-dist.ss b/collects/compiler/bundle-dist.ss
index f908b655d5..b0e91479c6 100644
--- a/collects/compiler/bundle-dist.ss
+++ b/collects/compiler/bundle-dist.ss
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@
 			 "error bundling: ~a"
 			 (regexp-replace #rx"[\r\n]*$" (get-output-string cerr) ""))))))]
 	  [(windows unix)
-	   (let-values ([(base name dir?) (split-path dir)])
+	   (let-values ([(base name dir?) (split-path (path->complete-path dir))])
 	     (parameterize ([current-directory base])
 	       ((if (eq? 'unix (system-type)) tar-gzip zip) target name)))]
 	  [else (error 'bundle-directory "don't know how")])))))