diff --git a/rhodecode/lib/utils.py b/rhodecode/lib/utils.py
--- a/rhodecode/lib/utils.py
+++ b/rhodecode/lib/utils.py
@@ -395,7 +395,7 @@ def repo2db_mapper(initial_repo_list, re
         g.group_name = g.get_new_name(g.name)
         sa.add(g)    
     for name, repo in initial_repo_list.items():
-        group = map_groups(name.split(os.sep))
+        group = map_groups(name.split(Repository.url_sep()))
         if not rm.get_by_repo_name(name, cache=False):
             log.info('repository %s not found creating default', name)
             added.append(name)