diff --git a/nixos/modules/services/x11/display-managers/lightdm.nix b/nixos/modules/services/x11/display-managers/lightdm.nix
index 9460395f86d..3949bf01a31 100644
--- a/nixos/modules/services/x11/display-managers/lightdm.nix
+++ b/nixos/modules/services/x11/display-managers/lightdm.nix
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ in
       };
 
       background = mkOption {
-        type = types.path;
+        type = types.str;
         description = ''
           The background image or color to use.
         '';