diff --git a/src/docx/parts/hdrftr.py b/src/docx/parts/hdrftr.py
index 46821d780..789cd8099 100644
--- a/src/docx/parts/hdrftr.py
+++ b/src/docx/parts/hdrftr.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ def new(cls, package):
     def _default_footer_xml(cls):
         """Return bytes containing XML for a default footer part."""
         path = os.path.join(
-            os.path.split(__file__)[0], "..", "templates", "default-footer.xml"
+            os.path.dirname(os.path.split(__file__)[0]), "templates", "default-footer.xml"
         )
         with open(path, "rb") as f:
             xml_bytes = f.read()