diff --git a/src/openrct2/platform/Platform.macOS.mm b/src/openrct2/platform/Platform.macOS.mm
index 74aa0b7574..fc19d67fe6 100644
--- a/src/openrct2/platform/Platform.macOS.mm
+++ b/src/openrct2/platform/Platform.macOS.mm
@@ -49,10 +49,17 @@ namespace Platform
             NSBundle* bundle = [NSBundle mainBundle];
             if (bundle)
             {
-                auto resources = bundle.resourcePath.UTF8String;
-                if (Path::DirectoryExists(resources))
+                // This method may return a valid bundle object even for unbundled apps.
+                // See https://developer.apple.com/documentation/foundation/nsbundle/1410786-mainbundle?language=objc
+                // Therefore, double check this is a valid bundle (has an ID string)
+                auto bundleId = bundle.bundleIdentifier.UTF8String;
+                if (bundleId)
                 {
-                    return resources;
+                    auto resources = bundle.resourcePath.UTF8String;
+                    if (Path::DirectoryExists(resources))
+                    {
+                        return resources;
+                    }
                 }
             }
             return std::string();
@@ -70,23 +77,36 @@ namespace Platform
         if (!path.empty())
         {
             path = Path::GetAbsolute(path);
+            return path;
         }
         else
         {
-            auto exePath = GetCurrentExecutablePath();
-            auto exeDirectory = Path::GetDirectory(exePath);
-            path = Path::Combine(exeDirectory, "data");
-            NSString* nsPath = [NSString stringWithUTF8String:path.c_str()];
-            if (![[NSFileManager defaultManager] fileExistsAtPath:nsPath])
+            // check if this is an app bundle
+            path = GetBundlePath();
+            if (!path.empty())
             {
-                path = GetBundlePath();
-                if (path.empty())
-                {
-                    path = "/";
+                return path;
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                // this is not in an app bundle
+                auto exePath = GetCurrentExecutablePath();
+                auto exeDirectory = Path::GetDirectory(exePath);
+
+                // check build and install paths
+                NSArray *dataSearchLocations = @[@"data", @"../share/openrct2"];
+
+                for (NSString *searchLocation in dataSearchLocations) {
+                    path = Path::Combine(exeDirectory, [searchLocation UTF8String]);
+                    NSString* nsPath = [NSString stringWithUTF8String:path.c_str()];
+                    if ([[NSFileManager defaultManager] fileExistsAtPath:nsPath])
+                    {
+                        return path;
+                    }
                 }
             }
         }
-        return path;
+        return "/";
     }
 
     std::string GetCurrentExecutablePath()