diff --git a/bindings/python/setup.py b/bindings/python/setup.py
index 8a7a89cf..b46ac8dd 100644
--- a/bindings/python/setup.py
+++ b/bindings/python/setup.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import os
 from distutils.core import setup
 
 # get the notmuch version number without importing the notmuch module
-version_file = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__)),
+version_file = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__),
                             'notmuch', 'version.py')
 exec(compile(open(version_file).read(), version_file, 'exec'))
 assert __VERSION__, 'Failed to read the notmuch binding version number'