diff --git a/pazel/helpers.py b/pazel/helpers.py
index 6f449e7..1d10c7c 100644
--- a/pazel/helpers.py
+++ b/pazel/helpers.py
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ def get_build_file_path(path):
     if os.path.isdir(path):
         directory = path
     else:
-        directory = os.path.dirpath(path)
+        directory = os.path.dirname(path)
 
     build_file_path = os.path.join(directory, 'BUILD')