diff --git a/oml/item/scan.py b/oml/item/scan.py
index 042f389..da62ef8 100644
--- a/oml/item/scan.py
+++ b/oml/item/scan.py
@@ -278,6 +278,10 @@ def run_import(options=None):
 def import_folder():
     if not (state.activity and state.activity.get('activity') == 'import'):
         import_path = settings.preferences['importPath']
+        import_path = os.path.normpath(os.path.expanduser(import_path))
+        import_path_base = os.path.dirname(import_path)
+        if not os.path.exists(import_path) and os.path.exists(import_path_base):
+            os.makedirs(import_path)
         logger.debug('scan importPath %s', import_path)
         if os.path.exists(import_path):
             run_import({