diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index e808fa80..bcdd1101 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -354,7 +354,7 @@ if (FMT_INSTALL)
               "Installation directory for libraries, a relative path that "
               "will be joined to ${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX} or an absolute path.")
 
-  set_verbose(FMT_PKGCONFIG_DIR ${CMAKE_INSTALL_LIBDIR}/pkgconfig CACHE PATH
+  set_verbose(FMT_PKGCONFIG_DIR ${CMAKE_INSTALL_LIBDIR}/pkgconfig CACHE STRING
               "Installation directory for pkgconfig (.pc) files, a relative "
               "path that will be joined with ${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX} or an "
               "absolute path.")