diff --git a/modules/prompt/functions/short_pwd b/modules/prompt/functions/short_pwd
index dc93885..37950cc 100644
--- a/modules/prompt/functions/short_pwd
+++ b/modules/prompt/functions/short_pwd
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 # shortens the pwd for use in prompt
 
-local current_dir="${PWD/#${HOME}/~}"
+local current_dir="${1:-${PWD}}"
 local return_dir='~'
 
+current_dir="${current_dir/#${HOME}/~}"
+
 # if we aren't in ~
 if [[ ${current_dir} != '~' ]]; then
   return_dir="${${${${(@j:/:M)${(@s:/:)current_dir}##.#?}:h}%/}//\%/%%}/${${current_dir:t}//\%/%%}"