diff --git a/dcicutils/file_utils.py b/dcicutils/file_utils.py
index 42bb32db6..9c0b0f7ff 100644
--- a/dcicutils/file_utils.py
+++ b/dcicutils/file_utils.py
@@ -44,11 +44,12 @@ def search_for_file(file: str,
             directory = str(directory)
         if not (directory := directory.strip()):
             continue
-        if os.path.isfile(directory):
+        if os.path.isfile(directory := os.path.normpath(directory)):
             # Allow a file; assume its parent directory was intended.
             if not (directory := os.path.dirname(directory)):
                 continue
-        location_pruned.append(directory)
+        if directory not in location_pruned:
+            location_pruned.append(directory)
     location = location_pruned
     for directory in location:
         if os.path.exists(os.path.join(directory, file)):
@@ -59,8 +60,6 @@ def search_for_file(file: str,
                 files_found.append(file_found)
     if recursive is True:
         for directory in location:
-            if not directory:
-                continue
             if not directory.endswith("/**") and not file.startswith("**/"):
                 path = f"{directory}/**/{file}"
             else:
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index e614ae1b8..fb91671ad 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [tool.poetry]
 name = "dcicutils"
-version = "8.8.4.1b18"  # TODO: To become 8.8.5
+version = "8.8.4.1b19"  # TODO: To become 8.8.5
 description = "Utility package for interacting with the 4DN Data Portal and other 4DN resources"
 authors = ["4DN-DCIC Team <support@4dnucleome.org>"]
 license = "MIT"