diff --git a/_pytest/config.py b/_pytest/config.py
index db5938b2a..a458e9573 100644
--- a/_pytest/config.py
+++ b/_pytest/config.py
@@ -104,10 +104,7 @@ def _prepareconfig(args=None, plugins=None):
     elif not isinstance(args, (tuple, list)):
         if not isinstance(args, str):
             raise ValueError("not a string or argument list: %r" % (args,))
-        if sys.platform == "win32":
-            args = shlex.split(args, posix=False)
-        else:
-            args = shlex.split(args)
+        args = shlex.split(args, posix=sys.platform == "win32")
     config = get_config()
     pluginmanager = config.pluginmanager
     try:
diff --git a/testing/test_config.py b/testing/test_config.py
index 92c9bdb8b..fe0654017 100644
--- a/testing/test_config.py
+++ b/testing/test_config.py
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ class TestParseIni:
         """)
         result = testdir.inline_run("--confcutdir=.")
         assert result.ret == 0
-
+        
 class TestConfigCmdlineParsing:
     def test_parsing_again_fails(self, testdir):
         config = testdir.parseconfig()
@@ -101,6 +101,16 @@ class TestConfigCmdlineParsing:
         config = testdir.parseconfig("-c", "custom.cfg")
         assert config.getini("custom") == "1"
 
+    def test_absolute_win32_path(self, testdir):
+        temp_cfg_file = testdir.makefile(".cfg", custom="""
+            [pytest]
+            addopts = --version
+        """)
+        from os.path import normpath
+        temp_cfg_file = normpath(str(temp_cfg_file))
+        ret = pytest.main("-c " + temp_cfg_file)
+        assert ret == _pytest.main.EXIT_OK
+
 class TestConfigAPI:
     def test_config_trace(self, testdir):
         config = testdir.parseconfig()