diff --git a/codeflash/code_utils/coverage_utils.py b/codeflash/code_utils/coverage_utils.py
index 456685d4..65bc69d4 100644
--- a/codeflash/code_utils/coverage_utils.py
+++ b/codeflash/code_utils/coverage_utils.py
@@ -41,13 +41,23 @@ def build_fully_qualified_name(function_name: str, code_context: CodeOptimizatio
 
 def generate_candidates(source_code_path: Path) -> list[str]:
     """Generate all the possible candidates for coverage data based on the source code path."""
-    candidates = [source_code_path.name]
+    candidates = []
+    name = source_code_path.name
     current_path = source_code_path.parent
 
-    while current_path != current_path.parent:
-        candidate_path = (Path(current_path.name) / candidates[-1]).as_posix()
-        candidates.append(candidate_path)
-        current_path = current_path.parent
+    # Start with the base candidate
+    candidate = name
+    candidates.append(candidate)
+
+    # Pre-fetch parent for comparison to avoid repeated attribute access
+    parent = current_path.parent
+
+    while current_path != parent:
+        # Build candidate path using string concat for speed
+        candidate = f"{current_path.name}/{candidate}"
+        candidates.append(candidate)
+        current_path = parent
+        parent = current_path.parent
 
     return candidates