diff --git a/mediagoblin/gmg_commands/theme.py b/mediagoblin/gmg_commands/theme.py
index 98485bed..fd914a96 100644
--- a/mediagoblin/gmg_commands/theme.py
+++ b/mediagoblin/gmg_commands/theme.py
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ def link_assets(theme, link_dir, printer=simple_printer):
     which should be printable.
     """
     link_dir = link_dir.rstrip(os.path.sep)
-    link_parent_dir = os.path.split(link_dir.rstrip(os.path.sep))[0]
+    link_parent_dir = os.path.split(link_dir)[0]
 
     results = []