diff --git a/crates/nu-utils/src/sample_config/default_env.nu b/crates/nu-utils/src/sample_config/default_env.nu
index e8ac902d7c..61651379fc 100644
--- a/crates/nu-utils/src/sample_config/default_env.nu
+++ b/crates/nu-utils/src/sample_config/default_env.nu
@@ -35,12 +35,12 @@ let-env PROMPT_MULTILINE_INDICATOR = { "::: " }
 # Note: The conversions happen *after* config.nu is loaded
 let-env ENV_CONVERSIONS = {
   "PATH": {
-    from_string: { |s| $s | split row (char esep) | path expand }
-    to_string: { |v| $v | path expand | str collect (char esep) }
+    from_string: { |s| $s | split row (char esep) | path expand -n }
+    to_string: { |v| $v | path expand -n | str collect (char esep) }
   }
   "Path": {
-    from_string: { |s| $s | split row (char esep) | path expand }
-    to_string: { |v| $v | path expand | str collect (char esep) }
+    from_string: { |s| $s | split row (char esep) | path expand -n }
+    to_string: { |v| $v | path expand -n | str collect (char esep) }
   }
 }