diff --git a/src/main.cpp b/src/main.cpp
index 2d2e00f..8b5ba9b 100644
--- a/src/main.cpp
+++ b/src/main.cpp
@@ -682,12 +682,11 @@ int main(int, char **)
     }
     SDL_SetRenderVSync(renderer, 1);
 
-    // Ensure our working directory matches the executable location so
-    // relative asset paths (assets/, FreeSans.ttf, etc.) resolve even
-    // when launching from a macOS .app bundle via Finder.
-    if (char* basePathRaw = SDL_GetBasePath()) {
+#if defined(__APPLE__)
+    // On macOS bundles launched from Finder start in /, so re-root relative paths.
+    if (const char* basePathRaw = SDL_GetBasePath()) {
         std::filesystem::path exeDir(basePathRaw);
-        SDL_free(basePathRaw);
+        SDL_free(const_cast<char*>(basePathRaw));
         std::error_code ec;
         std::filesystem::current_path(exeDir, ec);
         if (ec) {
@@ -700,6 +699,7 @@ int main(int, char **)
             "SDL_GetBasePath() failed; asset lookups rely on current directory: %s",
             SDL_GetError());
     }
+#endif
 
     FontAtlas font;
     font.init("FreeSans.ttf", 24);