diff --git a/mercurial/commands.py b/mercurial/commands.py
--- a/mercurial/commands.py
+++ b/mercurial/commands.py
@@ -5219,7 +5219,9 @@ def paths(ui, repo, search=None, **opts)
                     value = b'yes'
                 else:
                     value = b'no'
-            fm.condwrite(showsubopts, subopt, b'%s\n', pycompat.bytestr(value))
+            display = urlutil.path_suboptions_display[subopt]
+            value = display(value)
+            fm.condwrite(showsubopts, subopt, b'%s\n', value)
 
     fm.end()
 
diff --git a/mercurial/utils/urlutil.py b/mercurial/utils/urlutil.py
--- a/mercurial/utils/urlutil.py
+++ b/mercurial/utils/urlutil.py
@@ -658,9 +658,11 @@ class paths(dict):
 
 
 _pathsuboptions = {}
+# a dictionnary of methods that can be used to format a sub-option value
+path_suboptions_display = {}
 
 
-def pathsuboption(option, attr):
+def pathsuboption(option, attr, display=pycompat.bytestr):
     """Decorator used to declare a path sub-option.
 
     Arguments are the sub-option name and the attribute it should set on
@@ -671,12 +673,16 @@ def pathsuboption(option, attr):
     The function should return the value that will be set on the ``path``
     instance.
 
+    The optional `display` argument is a function that can be used to format
+    the value when displayed to the user (like in `hg paths` for example).
+
     This decorator can be used to perform additional verification of
     sub-options and to change the type of sub-options.
     """
 
     def register(func):
         _pathsuboptions[option] = (attr, func)
+        path_suboptions_display[option] = display
         return func
 
     return register