diff --git a/beets/library.py b/beets/library.py
index f54d148754..e8e0f0f83c 100644
--- a/beets/library.py
+++ b/beets/library.py
@@ -1609,12 +1609,7 @@ def __init__(
         timeout = beets.config["timeout"].as_number()
         super().__init__(path, timeout=timeout)
 
-        if directory is not None:
-            self.directory = normpath(directory)
-        else:
-            # Use the appropriate platform-specific fallback directory.
-            music_dir = platformdirs.user_music_path()
-            self.directory = bytestring_path(music_dir)
+        self.directory = normpath(directory or platformdirs.user_music_path())
 
         self.path_formats = path_formats
         self.replacements = replacements