diff --git a/lib/document.node.js b/lib/document.node.js
index a212e732..9c9e8d72 100644
--- a/lib/document.node.js
+++ b/lib/document.node.js
@@ -13,8 +13,10 @@ import { registerFile } from '#fs';
 // (CommonJS output) or pointing at a bundle with no `standard-fonts/` directory
 // next to it (ESM output). Neither may fail before a document actually asks for
 // a standard font, so the lookup falls back to a base createRequire accepts and
-// a failed lookup explains itself.
-const require = createRequire(import.meta.url ?? 'file:///');
+// a failed lookup explains itself. The base is the root path `/`, which is
+// absolute on every platform; the URL `file:///` has no drive letter, so
+// createRequire rejects it on Windows.
+const require = createRequire(import.meta.url ?? '/');
 
 const loaders = {
   Courier: () => require('./standard-fonts/Courier.cjs'),