Error in variable coercion when using custom filter in query

Product

Hot Chocolate

Version

13.9.0

Link to minimal reproduction

https://github.com/Mephistofeles/HotChocolateReproduction

Steps to reproduce

I've included minimal reproduction.
When I run query like:

query {
  machines(where: { locks: { any: true } }) {
    id
  }
}

It runs just fine, but when I create a variable for where, like:

query ($filter: MachineFilterInput) {
  machines(where: $filter) {
    id
  }
}

and use it with variables:

{
  "filter": {
    "locks": {
      "any": true
    }
  }
}

I'm getting error HC0016: Variable filter got an invalid value.
which when I debug probably comes from trying to convert "locks" to IEnumerable in HotChocolate.Utilities.DictionaryToObjectConverter.VisitObject (in call to Activator.CreateInstance(context.ClrType)) which failes, because of course IEnumerable is an interface and results in "System.MissingMethodException: 'Cannot create an instance of an interface.'"

What is expected?

Query should run the same whether I use variables or not

What is actually happening?

Query fails when I use variable for a filter input

Relevant log output

No response

Additional context

No response

Start with the linked minimal reproduction and compare the inline filter query with the variable-based query. Read HotChocolate.Utilities.DictionaryToObjectConverter.VisitObject, especially the Activator.CreateInstance path mentioned in the report. Done means the variable-based filter query runs successfully and behaves like the equivalent inline query.