diff --git a/src/views/AdminView.vue b/src/views/AdminView.vue
index de35e8f..d6e3413 100644
--- a/src/views/AdminView.vue
+++ b/src/views/AdminView.vue
@@ -1104,6 +1104,21 @@ async function saveUploadPath() {
   saveMessage.value = ''
   saveError.value = false
   try {
+    // First validate the path
+    const validateResp = await fetch(`${markbaseUrl.value}/api/v2/settings/validate`, {
+      method: 'POST',
+      headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+      body: JSON.stringify({ server: { upload_path: uploadPath.value } })
+    })
+    const validateData = await validateResp.json()
+    if (!validateData.valid) {
+      saveError.value = true
+      saveMessage.value = validateData.message || 'Path validation failed'
+      saving.value = false
+      return
+    }
+
+    // Path is valid, now save
     const resp = await fetch(`${markbaseUrl.value}/api/v2/settings`, {
       method: 'POST',
       headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },