diff --git a/IPython/core/application.py b/IPython/core/application.py
index a823dba..2aae062 100644
--- a/IPython/core/application.py
+++ b/IPython/core/application.py
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ from traitlets import (
 if os.name == "nt":
     programdata = Path(os.environ.get("PROGRAMDATA", None))
     if programdata:
-        SYSTEM_CONFIG_DIRS = [programdata / "ipython"]
+        SYSTEM_CONFIG_DIRS = [str(programdata / "ipython")]
     else:  # PROGRAMDATA is not defined by default on XP.
         SYSTEM_CONFIG_DIRS = []
 else: