diff --git a/pytex/pytex.py b/pytex/pytex.py
index f6e7b3e..2ecffab 100644
--- a/pytex/pytex.py
+++ b/pytex/pytex.py
@@ -79,13 +79,14 @@ def feed(template, data, output="", force=0):
     return output_p
 
 
-def pdflatex(latex_file, output_dir=""):
+def pdflatex(tex_filename, output_dir=""):
     """ Compile a latex file with pdflatex
 
     If output_dir is not set, it produce it next to the latex file.
     """
+    latex_file = Path(tex_filename)
     if not output_dir:
-        output_dir = Path(latex_file).parent.resolve()
+        output_dir = latex_file.parent.resolve()
     logger.debug(f"output_dir for pdflatex is {output_dir}")
 
     prev_cwd = Path.cwd()
@@ -97,7 +98,7 @@ def pdflatex(latex_file, output_dir=""):
             # "-halt-on-error",
             "-interaction=nonstopmode",
             "-shell-escape",
-            str(Path(latex_file).name),
+            str(latex_file.name),
         ],
         stdout=subprocess.PIPE,
         stderr=subprocess.PIPE,