diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index 68e0a96..6f49628 100755
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-4.6.1-develop23
+4.6.1-develop24
diff --git a/modules/web_api.py b/modules/web_api.py
index dbedcf9..e5566cb 100755
--- a/modules/web_api.py
+++ b/modules/web_api.py
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ async def process_queue_periodically(web_api: WebAPI) -> None:
 
 async def watch_settings_file(web_api: WebAPI) -> None:
     """Monitor the settings file for changes and reload authentication settings."""
-    settings_path = web_api.default_dir / "qbm_settings.yml"
+    settings_path = Path(web_api.default_dir) / "qbm_settings.yml"
     last_hash = None
 
     try: