diff --git a/fs/session/create.go b/fs/session/create.go
index f696c94..6186a75 100644
--- a/fs/session/create.go
+++ b/fs/session/create.go
@@ -63,6 +63,11 @@ func Create(rs *rootState, args []string) (string, error) {
 	if cwd == "" {
 		return "", fmt.Errorf("cwd is required (e.g. new cwd=/path/to/project)")
 	}
+	if info, err := os.Stat(cwd); err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("cwd %q does not exist", cwd)
+	} else if !info.IsDir() {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("cwd %q is not a directory", cwd)
+	}
 
 	sessID := name
 	if sessID == "" {