File path references containing ' - ' are treated as '- '

[Stuyvenstein]

I am attempting to replace the contents within a file where the path to the file contains the following sequence of characters withing a directory name: " - ", but when my workflow triggers the file path is instead referenced as: "- " so it seams to be removing the leading space in that sequence.
I am using a gitea server with a Windows based runner.
See attachments.
My workflow yaml file:

The action running on my gitea server:

Note: I found that by adding an additional space, it solves the issue but this is a workaround, eg

"  - "

is then treaded as " - "