diff --git a/python/lsst/ci/middleware/repo_data.py b/python/lsst/ci/middleware/repo_data.py
index 99cdbaa..f35a9f1 100644
--- a/python/lsst/ci/middleware/repo_data.py
+++ b/python/lsst/ci/middleware/repo_data.py
@@ -487,8 +487,7 @@ def make_skymap_instance(
         Skymap object.
     """
     config = DiscreteSkyMap.ConfigClass()
-    uri = ResourcePath(uri)
-    config.loadFromString(uri.read())
+    config.load(uri)
     return DiscreteSkyMap(config)