diff --git a/cmd/dockerd/daemon_windows.go b/cmd/dockerd/daemon_windows.go
index 08a77b7cb8..c592e286e3 100644
--- a/cmd/dockerd/daemon_windows.go
+++ b/cmd/dockerd/daemon_windows.go
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ func setDefaultUmask() error {
 }
 
 func getDaemonConfDir(root string) (string, error) {
-	return filepath.Join(root, `\config`), nil
+	return filepath.Join(root, "config"), nil
 }
 
 // preNotifyReady sends a message to the host when the API is active, but before the daemon is
diff --git a/cmd/dockerd/docker_windows.go b/cmd/dockerd/docker_windows.go
index 9295741217..a132bdf285 100644
--- a/cmd/dockerd/docker_windows.go
+++ b/cmd/dockerd/docker_windows.go
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ func runDaemon(opts *daemonOptions) error {
 	// register the service.
 	stop, runAsService, err := initService(daemonCli)
 	if err != nil {
-		logrus.Fatal(err)
+		return err
 	}
 
 	if stop {
@@ -24,7 +24,11 @@ func runDaemon(opts *daemonOptions) error {
 
 	// Windows specific settings as these are not defaulted.
 	if opts.configFile == "" {
-		opts.configFile = filepath.Join(opts.daemonConfig.Root, `config\daemon.json`)
+		configDir, err := getDaemonConfDir(opts.daemonConfig.Root)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		opts.configFile = filepath.Join(configDir, "daemon.json")
 	}
 	if runAsService {
 		// If Windows SCM manages the service - no need for PID files