diff --git a/tagstudio/src/core/driver.py b/tagstudio/src/core/driver.py
index 1561fbc9..1f7dd4f7 100644
--- a/tagstudio/src/core/driver.py
+++ b/tagstudio/src/core/driver.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ class DriverMixin:
         """Check if the path of library is valid."""
         library_path: Path | None = None
         if open_path:
-            library_path = Path(open_path)
+            library_path = Path(open_path).expanduser()
             if not library_path.exists():
                 logger.error("Path does not exist.", open_path=open_path)
                 return LibraryStatus(success=False, message="Path does not exist.")
diff --git a/tagstudio/src/qt/ts_qt.py b/tagstudio/src/qt/ts_qt.py
index 06c136dc..986d7120 100644
--- a/tagstudio/src/qt/ts_qt.py
+++ b/tagstudio/src/qt/ts_qt.py
@@ -496,7 +496,7 @@ class QtDriver(DriverMixin, QObject):
         self.init_library_window()
         self.migration_modal: JsonMigrationModal = None
 
-        path_result = self.evaluate_path(self.args.open)
+        path_result = self.evaluate_path(str(self.args.open).lstrip().rstrip())
         # check status of library path evaluating
         if path_result.success and path_result.library_path:
             self.splash.showMessage(