diff --git a/beetsplug/smartplaylist.py b/beetsplug/smartplaylist.py
index e4dfc9d14..34531c7c6 100644
--- a/beetsplug/smartplaylist.py
+++ b/beetsplug/smartplaylist.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ from __future__ import print_function
 
 from beets.plugins import BeetsPlugin
 from beets import config, ui
-from beets.util import syspath
+from beets.util import normpath, syspath
 import os
 
 database_changed = False
@@ -12,10 +12,16 @@ library = None
 def update_playlists(lib):
     playlists = config['smartplaylist']['playlists'].get(list)
     playlist_dir = config['smartplaylist']['playlist_dir'].get(unicode)
-    relative_to = config['smartplaylist']['relative_to'].get(unicode)
+    relative_to = config['smartplaylist']['relative_to'].get()
+    if relative_to:
+        relative_to = normpath(relative_to)
+
     for playlist in playlists:
         items = lib.items(playlist['query'])
-        paths = [os.path.relpath(item.path, relative_to) for item in items]
+        if relative_to:
+            paths = [os.path.relpath(item.path, relative_to) for item in items]
+        else:
+            paths = [item.path for item in items]
         basename = playlist['name'].encode('utf8')
         m3u_path = os.path.join(playlist_dir, basename)
         with open(syspath(m3u_path), 'w') as f:
@@ -27,7 +33,7 @@ class SmartPlaylistPlugin(BeetsPlugin):
     def __init__(self):
         super(SmartPlaylistPlugin, self).__init__()
         self.config.add({
-            'mpd_music_dir': u'',
+            'relative_to': None,
             'playlists': []
         })