diff --git a/mode/mp3.py b/mode/mp3.py
index 50d2d94..d4cd343 100644
--- a/mode/mp3.py
+++ b/mode/mp3.py
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import commands, dirutil, grp, mailbox, method, mode, os.path, pwd, re, sys
-import buffer, default, window
+import buffer, default, util, window
 from mode.mutt import MuttGrammar
 from lex import Grammar, PatternRule, RegionRule, PatternGroupRule
 from point import Point
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ class Mp3Buffer(Buffer):
     btype = 'mp3'
     def __init__(self, path):
         Buffer.__init__(self)
-        self.path = os.path.realpath(path)
+        self.path = util.expand_tilde(path)
         self.base = os.path.basename(self.path)
         self.af   = eyeD3.tag.Mp3AudioFile(self.path)
         self.tag  = self.af.getTag()