diff --git a/modules/PhysiCell_settings.cpp b/modules/PhysiCell_settings.cpp
index 3937fb8c6..2fe8bbaf7 100644
--- a/modules/PhysiCell_settings.cpp
+++ b/modules/PhysiCell_settings.cpp
@@ -325,11 +325,20 @@ void PhysiCell_Settings::read_from_pugixml( void )
 
 bool create_directories(const std::string &path)
 {
-	std::vector<std::string> directories;
-	size_t pos = 0;
+    size_t pos = 0;
     std::string currentPath;
 
-    while ((pos = path.find_first_of("/\\", pos)) != std::string::npos) {
+	// Check for Unix-like absolute path or Windows absolute path with drive letter
+	if (path[0] == '\\' || path[0] == '/')
+	{
+		pos = 1; // Unix-like or Windows absolute path starting with backslash or forward slash
+	}
+	else if (path.length() > 2 && isalpha(path[0]) && path[1] == ':' && (path[2] == '\\' || path[2] == '/'))
+	{
+		pos = 3; // Windows absolute path with drive letter
+	}
+
+	while ((pos = path.find_first_of("/\\", pos)) != std::string::npos) {
         currentPath = path.substr(0, pos++);
         if (!create_directory(currentPath)) {
             return false;