diff --git a/anki/db.py b/anki/db.py
index 045bafd35..c66813c24 100644
--- a/anki/db.py
+++ b/anki/db.py
@@ -2,12 +2,16 @@
 # Copyright: Damien Elmes <anki@ichi2.net>
 # License: GNU AGPL, version 3 or later; http://www.gnu.org/licenses/agpl.html
 
-import os, time
+import os
+import time
+
 try:
     from pysqlite2 import dbapi2 as sqlite
 except ImportError:
     from sqlite3 import dbapi2 as sqlite
 
+Error = sqlite.Error
+
 class DB(object):
     def __init__(self, path, text=None, timeout=0):
         encpath = path
diff --git a/anki/media.py b/anki/media.py
index 5818770d4..3560278a2 100644
--- a/anki/media.py
+++ b/anki/media.py
@@ -45,7 +45,10 @@ class MediaManager(object):
         except OSError:
             # cwd doesn't exist
             self._oldcwd = None
-        os.chdir(self._dir)
+        try:
+            os.chdir(self._dir)
+        except OSError:
+            raise Exception("invalidTempFolder")
         # change database
         self.connect()
 
diff --git a/aqt/errors.py b/aqt/errors.py
index 77724cd82..5c2a37330 100644
--- a/aqt/errors.py
+++ b/aqt/errors.py
@@ -1,10 +1,11 @@
 # Copyright: Damien Elmes <anki@ichi2.net>
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # License: GNU AGPL, version 3 or later; http://www.gnu.org/licenses/agpl.html
-
-from aqt.qt import *
 import sys
 import cgi
+
+from anki.lang import _
+from aqt.qt import *
 from aqt.utils import showText, showWarning
 
 class ErrorHandler(QObject):
@@ -43,6 +44,12 @@ class ErrorHandler(QObject):
         self.timer.setSingleShot(True)
         self.timer.start()
 
+    def tempFolderMsg(self):
+        return _("""\
+The permissions on your system's temporary folder are incorrect, and Anki is \
+not able to correct them automatically. Please search for 'temp folder' in the \
+Anki manual for more information.""")
+
     def onTimeout(self):
         error = cgi.escape(self.pool)
         self.pool = ""
@@ -56,6 +63,8 @@ class ErrorHandler(QObject):
         if "no default output" in error:
             return showWarning(_("Please connect a microphone, and ensure "
                                  "other programs are not using the audio device."))
+        if "invalidTempFolder" in error:
+            return showWarning(self.tempFolderMsg())
         stdText = _("""\
 An error occurred. It may have been caused by a harmless bug, <br>
 or your deck may have a problem.
diff --git a/aqt/main.py b/aqt/main.py
index 0184ae292..425080987 100644
--- a/aqt/main.py
+++ b/aqt/main.py
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ import aqt.stats
 from aqt.utils import  restoreGeom, showInfo, showWarning,\
     restoreState, getOnlyText, askUser, applyStyles, showText, tooltip, \
     openHelp, openLink, checkInvalidFilename
-
+import anki.db
 
 class AnkiQt(QMainWindow):
     def __init__(self, app, profileManager, args):
@@ -270,13 +270,22 @@ To import into a password protected profile, please open the profile before atte
         self.hideSchemaMsg = True
         try:
             self.col = Collection(self.pm.collectionPath())
-        except:
+        except anki.db.Error:
             # move back to profile manager
             showWarning("""\
 Your collection is corrupt. Please see the manual for \
 how to restore from a backup.""")
             self.unloadProfile()
             raise
+        except Exception, e:
+            # the custom exception handler won't catch this if we immediately
+            # unload, so we have to manually handle it
+            if "invalidTempFolder" in repr(str(e)):
+                showWarning(self.errorHandler.tempFolderMsg())
+                self.unloadProfile()
+                return
+            self.unloadProfile()
+            raise
         self.hideSchemaMsg = False
         self.progress.setupDB(self.col.db)
         self.maybeEnableUndo()
diff --git a/aqt/sync.py b/aqt/sync.py
index 0ef164322..ce749f2e9 100644
--- a/aqt/sync.py
+++ b/aqt/sync.py
@@ -275,6 +275,10 @@ class SyncThread(QThread):
         self.media = media
 
     def run(self):
+        # init this first so an early crash doesn't cause an error
+        # in the main thread
+        self.syncMsg = ""
+        self.uname = ""
         try:
             self.col = Collection(self.path)
         except:
@@ -282,8 +286,6 @@ class SyncThread(QThread):
             return
         self.server = RemoteServer(self.hkey)
         self.client = Syncer(self.col, self.server)
-        self.syncMsg = ""
-        self.uname = ""
         self.sentTotal = 0
         self.recvTotal = 0
         # throttle updates; qt doesn't handle lots of posted events well