diff --git a/nixos/modules/services/x11/display-managers/lightdm.nix b/nixos/modules/services/x11/display-managers/lightdm.nix
index 1ebc4b5930e..678cade4442 100644
--- a/nixos/modules/services/x11/display-managers/lightdm.nix
+++ b/nixos/modules/services/x11/display-managers/lightdm.nix
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ in
       };
 
       background = mkOption {
-        type = types.str;
+        type = types.path;
         # Manual cannot depend on packages, we are actually setting the default in config below.
         defaultText = "pkgs.nixos-artwork.wallpapers.simple-dark-gray-bottom.gnomeFilePath";
         description = ''