diff --git a/compiler/core/src/zserio/tools/ExtensionManager.java b/compiler/core/src/zserio/tools/ExtensionManager.java
index 851b91234..c88f30709 100644
--- a/compiler/core/src/zserio/tools/ExtensionManager.java
+++ b/compiler/core/src/zserio/tools/ExtensionManager.java
@@ -145,12 +145,20 @@ private File getWorkingDirectory()
         {
             final String execUrlPath = getClass().getProtectionDomain().getCodeSource().getLocation().getPath();
             final String decodedExecUrlPath = URLDecoder.decode(execUrlPath, "UTF-8");
-            final Path workingParentPath = Paths.get(new URL(decodedExecUrlPath).toURI()).getParent();
+            // check if decodedExecUrlPath is really URL, newer Java versions 11 or 17 returns normal path
+            File decodedExecFile = null;
+            try
+            {
+                decodedExecFile = new File(new URL(decodedExecUrlPath).toURI());
+            }
+            catch (MalformedURLException | URISyntaxException excpt)
+            {
+                decodedExecFile = new File(decodedExecUrlPath);
+            }
 
-            return (workingParentPath == null) ? null : workingParentPath.toFile();
+            return decodedExecFile.getParentFile();
         }
-        catch (SecurityException | UnsupportedEncodingException | MalformedURLException |
-                URISyntaxException excpt)
+        catch (SecurityException | UnsupportedEncodingException excpt)
         {
             return null;
         }