diff --git a/build.gradle b/build.gradle
index c2ce05c1aa..1c43ad2040 100644
--- a/build.gradle
+++ b/build.gradle
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ subprojects {
         JAVA9_OUT = layout.buildDirectory.dir('classes/java9/main/').get().asFile.absolutePath
         TEST9_SRC = 'src/test/java9'
         TEST9_OUT = layout.buildDirectory.dir('classes/java9/test/').get().asFile.absolutePath
-        VERSIONS9 = 'META-INF/versions/9'
+        VERSIONS9 = '/META-INF/versions/9'
 
         NO_SCRATCHPAD = (findProperty("scratchpad.ignore") == "true")
         SAXON_TEST = (findProperty("saxon.test") == "true")