diff --git a/src/util/util_string.h b/src/util/util_string.h
index f4810728f..43607378c 100644
--- a/src/util/util_string.h
+++ b/src/util/util_string.h
@@ -178,9 +178,11 @@ namespace dxvk::str {
   std::wstring tows(const char* mbs);
 
 #ifdef _WIN32
-  inline std::wstring topath(const char* mbs) { return tows(mbs); }
+  using path_string = std::wstring;
+  inline path_string topath(const char* mbs) { return tows(mbs); }
 #else
-  inline std::string  topath(const char* mbs) { return std::string(mbs); }
+  using path_string = std::string;
+  inline path_string topath(const char* mbs) { return std::string(mbs); }
 #endif
   
   inline void format1(std::stringstream&) { }