diff --git a/sqlmap.py b/sqlmap.py
index ad1451556..6bb12a56f 100755
--- a/sqlmap.py
+++ b/sqlmap.py
@@ -69,6 +69,15 @@ def main():
 
     try:
         paths.SQLMAP_ROOT_PATH = modulePath()
+
+        try:
+            os.path.isdir(paths.SQLMAP_ROOT_PATH)
+        except UnicodeEncodeError:
+            errMsg = "your system does not properly handle non-ASCII paths. "
+            errMsg += "Please move the sqlmap's directory to the other location"
+            logger.error(errMsg)
+            exit()
+
         setPaths()
 
         # Store original command line options for possible later restoration