diff --git a/journal_lock.py b/journal_lock.py
index 4d04992f..3e0f8085 100644
--- a/journal_lock.py
+++ b/journal_lock.py
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ class JournalLock:
 
         else:
             try:
-                self.journal_dir_path = pathlib.Path(self.journal_dir)
+                self.journal_dir_path = pathlib.Path.expanduser(pathlib.Path(self.journal_dir))
 
             except Exception:  # pragma: no cover
                 logger.exception("Couldn't make pathlib.Path from journal_dir")