diff --git a/packages/ensure-binaries/src/index.ts b/packages/ensure-binaries/src/index.ts
index 3e885457d7..06f0a9cfa0 100644
--- a/packages/ensure-binaries/src/index.ts
+++ b/packages/ensure-binaries/src/index.ts
@@ -23,16 +23,31 @@ const options = arg({
   "--base-dir": String,
 });
 
-const pathToPackage = options["--package"];
-const pathToBaseDir = options["--base-dir"];
+type Options = typeof options;
 
-if (typeof pathToPackage !== "string") {
-  throw new Error("--package is required");
-}
+const assertOption = <Key extends keyof Options>(key: Key): NonNullable<Options[Key]> => {
+  const raw = options[key];
 
-if (typeof pathToBaseDir !== "string") {
-  throw new Error("--base-dir is required");
-}
+  if (raw === undefined) {
+    console.error(`missing ${key} option`);
+    process.exit(1);
+  }
+
+  return raw;
+};
+
+const joinWithInitCwd = (relativePath: string): string => {
+  const { INIT_CWD } = process.env;
+
+  if (!INIT_CWD) {
+    return relativePath;
+  }
+
+  return path.join(INIT_CWD, relativePath);
+};
+
+const pathToPackage = joinWithInitCwd(assertOption("--package"));
+const pathToBaseDir = joinWithInitCwd(assertOption("--base-dir"));
 
 function setTimeoutFor(controller: AbortController, timeout: number): void {
   const handle = setTimeout(() => controller.abort(), timeout);
diff --git a/packages/generate-tray-icons/src/index.ts b/packages/generate-tray-icons/src/index.ts
index 6b84a8f078..5372d98722 100644
--- a/packages/generate-tray-icons/src/index.ts
+++ b/packages/generate-tray-icons/src/index.ts
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ type Options = typeof options;
 const assertOption = <Key extends keyof Options>(key: Key): NonNullable<Options[Key]> => {
   const raw = options[key];
 
-  if (!raw) {
+  if (raw === undefined) {
     console.error(`missing ${key} option`);
     process.exit(1);
   }
@@ -31,11 +31,21 @@ const assertOption = <Key extends keyof Options>(key: Key): NonNullable<Options[
   return raw;
 };
 
+const joinWithInitCwd = (relativePath: string): string => {
+  const { INIT_CWD } = process.env;
+
+  if (!INIT_CWD) {
+    return relativePath;
+  }
+
+  return path.join(INIT_CWD, relativePath);
+};
+
 const size = options["--output-size"] ?? 16;
-const inputFile = assertOption("--input");
-const outputFolder = assertOption("--output");
-const noticeFile = assertOption("--notice-icon");
-const spinnerFile = assertOption("--spinner-icon");
+const inputFile = joinWithInitCwd(assertOption("--input"));
+const outputFolder = joinWithInitCwd(assertOption("--output"));
+const noticeFile = joinWithInitCwd(assertOption("--notice-icon"));
+const spinnerFile = joinWithInitCwd(assertOption("--spinner-icon"));
 
 const getSvgStyling = (colouring: "dark" | "light") => (
   `
diff --git a/packages/open-lens/package.json b/packages/open-lens/package.json
index 2475cb120b..6412cb29c6 100644
--- a/packages/open-lens/package.json
+++ b/packages/open-lens/package.json
@@ -33,8 +33,8 @@
     "dev:main": "cross-env NODE_ENV=development webpack --config webpack/main.ts --progress --watch",
     "dev:renderer": "cross-env NODE_ENV=development ts-node ./webpack/dev-server.ts",
     "test:integration": "jest -xyz --runInBand --modulePaths=[\"<rootDir>/integration/\"];",
-    "build:tray-icons": "npm run --workspace @k8slens/generate-tray-icons generate -- --output $INIT_CWD/static/build/tray --input $INIT_CWD/../core/src/renderer/components/icon/logo-lens.svg --notice-icon $INIT_CWD/../core/src/renderer/components/icon/notice.svg --spinner-icon $INIT_CWD/../core/src/renderer/components/icon/arrow-spinner.svg",
-    "download:binaries": "npm run --workspace @k8slens/ensure-binaries ensure -- --package $INIT_CWD/package.json --base-dir $INIT_CWD/binaries/client",
+    "build:tray-icons": "npm run --workspace @k8slens/generate-tray-icons generate -- --output static/build/tray --input ../core/src/renderer/components/icon/logo-lens.svg --notice-icon ../core/src/renderer/components/icon/notice.svg --spinner-icon ../core/src/renderer/components/icon/arrow-spinner.svg",
+    "download:binaries": "npm run --workspace @k8slens/ensure-binaries ensure -- --package package.json --base-dir binaries/client",
     "postinstall": "electron-rebuild"
   },
   "config": {