diff --git a/coverage/config.py b/coverage/config.py
index 62f281add..6eb3d15b3 100644
--- a/coverage/config.py
+++ b/coverage/config.py
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ def __init__(self):
         self.json_show_contexts = False
 
         # Defaults for [paths]
-        self.paths = {}
+        self.paths = collections.OrderedDict()
 
         # Options for plugins
         self.plugin_options = {}