diff --git a/powerlevel9k.zsh-theme b/powerlevel9k.zsh-theme
index 3e529b3b..37bdbbb8 100755
--- a/powerlevel9k.zsh-theme
+++ b/powerlevel9k.zsh-theme
@@ -611,7 +611,7 @@ prompt_dir() {
         fi
       ;;
       *)
-        current_path="%$((POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DIR_LENGTH+1))(c:$POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DELIMITER/:)%${POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DIR_LENGTH}c"
+        current_path="$(print -P "%$((POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DIR_LENGTH+1))(c:$POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DELIMITER/:)%${POWERLEVEL9K_SHORTEN_DIR_LENGTH}c")"
       ;;
     esac
   fi