diff --git a/beets/library.py b/beets/library.py
index 2c3d4b37a..e598bd065 100644
--- a/beets/library.py
+++ b/beets/library.py
@@ -366,7 +366,7 @@ class Item(LibModel):
         else:
             path = normpath(path)
         try:
-            mediafile = MediaFile(path)
+            mediafile = MediaFile(syspath(path))
         except (OSError, IOError) as exc:
             raise ReadError(self.path, exc)