diff --git a/theseus/src/api/settings.rs b/theseus/src/api/settings.rs
index 59bca9a87..270a01680 100644
--- a/theseus/src/api/settings.rs
+++ b/theseus/src/api/settings.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 //! Theseus profile management interface
 
 use std::path::PathBuf;
+use tokio::fs;
 
 use io::IOError;
 use tokio::sync::RwLock;
@@ -188,3 +189,17 @@ pub async fn set_config_dir(new_config_dir: PathBuf) -> crate::Result<()> {
 
     Ok(())
 }
+
+pub async fn is_dir_writeable(new_config_dir: PathBuf) -> crate::Result<bool> {
+    let temp_path = new_config_dir.join(".tmp");
+    match fs::write(temp_path.clone(), "test").await {
+        Ok(_) => {
+            fs::remove_file(temp_path).await?;
+            Ok(true)
+        }
+        Err(e) => {
+            tracing::error!("Error writing to new config dir: {}", e);
+            Ok(false)
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/theseus_gui/src-tauri/src/api/settings.rs b/theseus_gui/src-tauri/src/api/settings.rs
index 28221b845..324761095 100644
--- a/theseus_gui/src-tauri/src/api/settings.rs
+++ b/theseus_gui/src-tauri/src/api/settings.rs
@@ -8,7 +8,8 @@ pub fn init<R: tauri::Runtime>() -> tauri::plugin::TauriPlugin<R> {
         .invoke_handler(tauri::generate_handler![
             settings_get,
             settings_set,
-            settings_change_config_dir
+            settings_change_config_dir,
+            settings_is_dir_writeable
         ])
         .build()
 }
@@ -37,3 +38,11 @@ pub async fn settings_change_config_dir(new_config_dir: PathBuf) -> Result<()> {
     settings::set_config_dir(new_config_dir).await?;
     Ok(())
 }
+
+#[tauri::command]
+pub async fn settings_is_dir_writeable(
+    new_config_dir: PathBuf,
+) -> Result<bool> {
+    let res = settings::is_dir_writeable(new_config_dir).await?;
+    Ok(res)
+}
diff --git a/theseus_gui/src/helpers/settings.js b/theseus_gui/src/helpers/settings.js
index 62b53745c..701cc325d 100644
--- a/theseus_gui/src/helpers/settings.js
+++ b/theseus_gui/src/helpers/settings.js
@@ -43,3 +43,7 @@ export async function set(settings) {
 export async function change_config_dir(newConfigDir) {
   return await invoke('plugin:settings|settings_change_config_dir', { newConfigDir })
 }
+
+export async function is_dir_writeable(newConfigDir) {
+  return await invoke('plugin:settings|settings_is_dir_writeable', { newConfigDir })
+}
diff --git a/theseus_gui/src/pages/Settings.vue b/theseus_gui/src/pages/Settings.vue
index 5ff7d7d79..9fa66e2cd 100644
--- a/theseus_gui/src/pages/Settings.vue
+++ b/theseus_gui/src/pages/Settings.vue
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ import {
   UpdatedIcon,
 } from 'omorphia'
 import { handleError, useTheming } from '@/store/state'
-import { change_config_dir, get, set } from '@/helpers/settings'
+import { is_dir_writeable, change_config_dir, get, set } from '@/helpers/settings'
 import { get_max_memory } from '@/helpers/jre'
 import { get as getCreds, logout } from '@/helpers/mr_auth.js'
 import JavaSelector from '@/components/ui/JavaSelector.vue'
@@ -116,7 +116,18 @@ async function signInAfter() {
 }
 
 async function findLauncherDir() {
-  const newDir = await open({ multiple: false, directory: true })
+  const newDir = await open({
+    multiple: false,
+    directory: true,
+    title: 'Select a new app directory',
+  })
+
+  const writeable = await is_dir_writeable(newDir)
+
+  if (!writeable) {
+    handleError('The selected directory does not have proper permissions for write access.')
+    return
+  }
 
   if (newDir) {
     settingsDir.value = newDir