diff --git a/av98.py b/av98.py
index eba1185..78f7b09 100755
--- a/av98.py
+++ b/av98.py
@@ -130,8 +130,9 @@ def fix_ipv6_url(url):
 
 def geminiitem_to_url(gi):
     if gi and gi.host:
-        return ("gemini://%s:%d/%s" % (
-            gi.host, int(gi.port), gi.path))
+        return ("gemini://%s:%d%s%s" % (
+            gi.host, int(gi.port), "" if gi.path.startswith("/") else "/",
+            gi.path))
     elif gi:
         return gi.path
     else: