diff --git a/beets/util/__init__.py b/beets/util/__init__.py
index cc23b6874..bb84aedc7 100644
--- a/beets/util/__init__.py
+++ b/beets/util/__init__.py
@@ -227,8 +227,6 @@ def path_as_posix(path):
     """Return the string representation of the path with forward (/)
     slashes.
     """
-    if isinstance(path, str):
-        return path.replace('\\', '/')
     return path.replace(b'\\', b'/')
 
 
diff --git a/test/test_files.py b/test/test_files.py
index 6a6fa3531..f31779672 100644
--- a/test/test_files.py
+++ b/test/test_files.py
@@ -196,8 +196,8 @@ class HelperTest(_common.TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(util.components(p), a)
 
     def test_forward_slash(self):
-        p = r'C:\a\b\c'
-        a = r'C:/a/b/c'
+        p = br'C:\a\b\c'
+        a = br'C:/a/b/c'
         self.assertEqual(util.path_as_posix(p), a)