diff --git a/lib/merb-core/controller/mixins/controller.rb b/lib/merb-core/controller/mixins/controller.rb
index 33c6f53..f6e5513 100644
--- a/lib/merb-core/controller/mixins/controller.rb
+++ b/lib/merb-core/controller/mixins/controller.rb
@@ -225,8 +225,7 @@ module Merb
     # ==== Parameters
     # file<String>:: Path to file to send to the client.
     def nginx_send_file(file)
-      headers['X-Accel-Redirect'] = File.expand_path(file)
-      return
+      headers['X-Accel-Redirect'] = file
     end  
   
     # Sets a cookie to be included in the response.