diff --git a/beets/dbcore/db.py b/beets/dbcore/db.py
index 0e484d8ce..bafd32ded 100755
--- a/beets/dbcore/db.py
+++ b/beets/dbcore/db.py
@@ -903,7 +903,9 @@ class Database:
     def _path_checker(self, path):
         newpath = os.path.dirname(path)
         if not os.path.isdir(newpath):
-            os.makedirs(newpath)
+            from beets.ui.commands import database_dir_creation
+            if database_dir_creation(newpath):
+                os.makedirs(newpath)
 
 
     def __init__(self, path, timeout=5.0):
diff --git a/beets/ui/commands.py b/beets/ui/commands.py
index 3a3374013..bf2b184d2 100755
--- a/beets/ui/commands.py
+++ b/beets/ui/commands.py
@@ -1398,6 +1398,12 @@ version_cmd = ui.Subcommand(
 version_cmd.func = show_version
 default_commands.append(version_cmd)
 
+# database_location: return true if user wants to create the parent directories.
+def database_dir_creation(path):
+    # Ask the user for a choice.
+    return ui.input_yn("{} does not exist, create it (Y/n)?"
+                    .format(displayable_path(path)))
+
 
 # modify: Declaratively change metadata.