diff --git a/src/plugins/gta3/std.asi/args_translator/xtranslator_path.hpp b/src/plugins/gta3/std.asi/args_translator/xtranslator_path.hpp
index b8625f3a..25fbba6a 100644
--- a/src/plugins/gta3/std.asi/args_translator/xtranslator_path.hpp
+++ b/src/plugins/gta3/std.asi/args_translator/xtranslator_path.hpp
@@ -102,7 +102,8 @@ inline void path_translator_base::CallInfo::TranslatePathForMainExecutable(const
     // ...if not, try on the ASI paths or cleo paths
     if(type == AR_PATH_INE && !IsPath(arg))
     {
-        //
+        // Remember the original path so it can be restored if no mod wants it.
+        const T* const originalArg = arg;
         bool bCheckModules = GetCurrentDir(arg, type, currdir, buffer);
 
         // Check if currdir is alright
@@ -155,6 +156,10 @@ inline void path_translator_base::CallInfo::TranslatePathForMainExecutable(const
                 CheckASI();
                 CheckCleoScripts();
             }
+
+            // Nothing wanted to translate this path, so put the original absolute path back.
+            // Leaving it relative makes the Win32 profile APIs resolve it against the Windows directory
+            if(!bSet) arg = originalArg;
         }
     }
 }