diff --git a/src/griffe/loader.py b/src/griffe/loader.py
index dbfc0dd8..8ad59353 100644
--- a/src/griffe/loader.py
+++ b/src/griffe/loader.py
@@ -200,7 +200,9 @@ def load(
 
             try:
                 top_module_path = top_module_object.__path__
-            except AttributeError:
+                if not top_module_path:
+                    raise ValueError(f"Module {top_module_name} has no paths set")  # noqa: TRY301
+            except (AttributeError, ValueError):
                 # If the top-level module has no `__path__`, we inspect it as-is,
                 # and do not try to recurse into submodules (there shouldn't be any in builtin/compiled modules).
                 logger.debug(f"Module {top_module_name} has no paths set (built-in module?). Inspecting it as-is.")
@@ -212,6 +214,7 @@ def load(
 
             # We found paths, and use them to build our intermediate Package or NamespacePackage struct.
             logger.debug(f"Module {top_module_name} has paths set: {top_module_path}")
+            top_module_path = [Path(path) for path in top_module_path]
             if len(top_module_path) > 1:
                 package = NamespacePackage(top_module_name, top_module_path)
             else:
diff --git a/tests/test_loader.py b/tests/test_loader.py
index a33e6a0c..e153dc73 100644
--- a/tests/test_loader.py
+++ b/tests/test_loader.py
@@ -464,3 +464,14 @@ def test_forcing_inspection() -> None:
         for name in static_package["mod"].members:
             assert name in dynamic_package["mod"].members
     clear_sys_modules("pkg")
+
+
+def test_relying_on_modules_path_attribute(monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> None:
+    """Load a package that relies on the `__path__` attribute of a module."""
+
+    def raise_module_not_found_error(*args, **kwargs) -> None:  # noqa: ARG001,ANN002,ANN003
+        raise ModuleNotFoundError
+
+    loader = GriffeLoader()
+    monkeypatch.setattr(loader.finder, "find_spec", raise_module_not_found_error)
+    assert loader.load("griffe")