diff --git a/beets/ui/commands.py b/beets/ui/commands.py
index 7941be46b..56f9ad1f5 100755
--- a/beets/ui/commands.py
+++ b/beets/ui/commands.py
@@ -1185,6 +1185,12 @@ def update_items(lib, query, album, move, pretend, fields):
 
 
 def update_func(lib, opts, args):
+    # Verify that the library folder exists to prevent accidental wipes.
+    if not os.path.isdir(lib.directory):
+        ui.print_("Library path is unavailable or does not exist.")
+        ui.print_(lib.directory)
+        if not ui.input_yn("Are you sure you want to continue (y/n)?", True):
+            return
     update_items(lib, decargs(args), opts.album, ui.should_move(opts.move),
                  opts.pretend, opts.fields)
 
diff --git a/docs/changelog.rst b/docs/changelog.rst
index 963863ae8..16d5f7d1c 100644
--- a/docs/changelog.rst
+++ b/docs/changelog.rst
@@ -116,6 +116,11 @@ Fixes:
   :bug:`3242`
 * Fix a bug that caused a crash when tagging items with the beatport plugin.
   :bug:`3374`
+* ``beet update`` will now confirm that the user still wants to update if
+  their library folder cannot be found, preventing the user from accidentally
+  wiping out their beets database.
+  Thanks to :user:`logan-arens`.
+  :bug:`1934`
 
 For plugin developers: