diff --git a/mcimport.py b/mcimport.py
index 52cec87..60b89e3 100755
--- a/mcimport.py
+++ b/mcimport.py
@@ -10,12 +10,16 @@ if (sys.version_info < (3, 0)):
     exit(1)
 
 if not os.path.exists(sys.argv[1]):
-    print("the minecraft world path does not exist.")
+    print("The provided minecraft world path does not exist.")
     exit(1)
 
 if not os.path.exists(sys.argv[2]):
     os.makedirs(sys.argv[2])
 
+if os.path.exists(sys.argv[2] + "map.sqlite"):
+    print("A minetest world already exists - refusing to overwrite it.")
+    exit(1)
+
 if not os.path.exists(sys.argv[2] + "/world.mt"):
     wo = open(sys.argv[2] + "/world.mt", "w")
     wo.write("backend = sqlite3\n")