diff --git a/ci/config/gradle-plugin-publishing/build.gradle b/ci/config/gradle-plugin-publishing/build.gradle
index bb02d3b5b0..e3a34c3ed2 100644
--- a/ci/config/gradle-plugin-publishing/build.gradle
+++ b/ci/config/gradle-plugin-publishing/build.gradle
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ plugins {
 }
 tasks.register("publishExisting", com.gradle.publish.PublishExistingTask) {
 	pluginId = "org.springframework.boot"
-	fileRepositoryRoot = "${repositoryRoot}"
+	fileRepositoryRoot = new File("${repositoryRoot}")
 	pluginVersion = "${bootVersion}"
 	pluginCoordinates = "org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-gradle-plugin:${bootVersion}"
 	displayName = "Spring Boot Gradle Plugin"
diff --git a/ci/config/gradle-plugin-publishing/settings.gradle b/ci/config/gradle-plugin-publishing/settings.gradle
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e69de29bb2