diff --git a/platformio/project/options.py b/platformio/project/options.py
index 51611d24..6a6d4967 100644
--- a/platformio/project/options.py
+++ b/platformio/project/options.py
@@ -87,7 +87,8 @@ def validate_dir(path):
         return path
     if path.startswith("~"):
         path = fs.expanduser(path)
-    return os.path.abspath(path)
+    return path
+    # return os.path.abspath(path)
 
 
 def get_default_core_dir():