diff --git a/aider/utils.py b/aider/utils.py
index 1301d7960..7191d6e3c 100644
--- a/aider/utils.py
+++ b/aider/utils.py
@@ -274,11 +274,11 @@ class Spinner:
 
 def find_common_root(abs_fnames):
     if len(abs_fnames) == 1:
-        return os.path.dirname(list(abs_fnames)[0])
+        return safe_abs_path(os.path.dirname(list(abs_fnames)[0]))
     elif abs_fnames:
-        return os.path.commonpath(list(abs_fnames))
+        return safe_abs_path(os.path.commonpath(list(abs_fnames)))
     else:
-        return os.getcwd()
+        return safe_abs_path(os.getcwd())
 
 
 def check_pip_install_extra(io, module, prompt, pip_install_cmd):