diff --git a/applications/utilities/postProcessing/sampling/probeLocations/probeLocations.C b/applications/utilities/postProcessing/sampling/probeLocations/probeLocations.C
index 5c02fe31e7..59c73ffc60 100644
--- a/applications/utilities/postProcessing/sampling/probeLocations/probeLocations.C
+++ b/applications/utilities/postProcessing/sampling/probeLocations/probeLocations.C
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
   =========                 |
   \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
    \\    /   O peration     |
-    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2011 OpenFOAM Foundation
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2011-2012 OpenFOAM Foundation
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
     (
         probes::typeName,
         mesh,
-        "probesDict",
+        word("probesDict"), // force the use of the system directory
         IOobject::MUST_READ,
         true
     );