diff --git a/pylnk3.py b/pylnk3.py
index f037c90..a3567a8 100644
--- a/pylnk3.py
+++ b/pylnk3.py
@@ -586,9 +586,9 @@ def __init__(self, bytes=None):
                 version_offset = read_short(buf)
 
     @classmethod
-    def create_for_path(cls, path):
+    def create_for_path(cls, path, entry_type):
         entry = cls()
-        entry.type = os.path.isdir(path) and TYPE_FOLDER or TYPE_FILE
+        entry.type = entry_type
         try:
             st = os.stat(path)
             entry.file_size = st.st_size
@@ -690,7 +690,7 @@ def bytes(self):
         return out.getvalue()
 
     def __str__(self):
-        return "<PathSegmentEntry: %s>" % self.full_name
+        return f"<PathSegmentEntry: {self.full_name} ({self.type})>"
 
 
 class UwpSubBlock:
@@ -1803,7 +1803,26 @@ def for_file(
         elements = [RootEntry(ROOT_MY_COMPUTER),
                     DriveEntry(levels[0])]
         for level in levels[1:]:
-            segment = PathSegmentEntry.create_for_path(level)
+            entry_type = None
+            # check if entry exists in file system
+            if os.path.exists(level):
+                # check if entry is dir
+                if os.path.isdir(level):
+                    entry_type = TYPE_FOLDER
+                elif os.path.isfile(level):
+                    entry_type = TYPE_FILE
+                else:
+                    raise RuntimeError(f"Unknown file system entry type for path: {level}")
+            else:
+                # path does not exist (creating from linux or different system)
+                # set TYPE_FOLDER by default, unless it's the last entry (which is the file)
+                # not possible to create links to folders
+                if level == levels[-1]:
+                    entry_type = TYPE_FILE
+                else:
+                    entry_type = TYPE_FOLDER
+
+            segment = PathSegmentEntry.create_for_path(level, entry_type)
             elements.append(segment)
         lnk.shell_item_id_list = LinkTargetIDList()
         lnk.shell_item_id_list.items = elements