diff --git a/upath/core312plus.py b/upath/core312plus.py
index c477238c..5e7265d3 100644
--- a/upath/core312plus.py
+++ b/upath/core312plus.py
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ def get_upath_protocol(
     elif isinstance(pth, PurePath):
         pth_protocol = ""
     else:
-        raise TypeError(f"expected a str or PurePath instance, got: {pth!r}")
+        pth_protocol = split_upath_protocol(os.fspath(pth))
     # if storage_options and not protocol:
     #     protocol = "file"
     if protocol and pth_protocol and not pth_protocol.startswith(protocol):