diff --git a/seqs/mysql.sh b/seqs/mysql.sh
index fbf8a07..63497c0 100755
--- a/seqs/mysql.sh
+++ b/seqs/mysql.sh
@@ -302,12 +302,14 @@ step_50() {
   fi
   local dbName="$1"
   local buTarget="$2"
-  if [ -z $2 ] ; then
+  if [ -z "$2" ] ; then
     echoerr " [W] No target directory provided. Using home of current user"
-    buTarget="~"
+    buTarget="$HOME"
+  elif [ ! -e "$2" ]; then
+    endReturn -o 1 -f "$2 does not exist"
   fi
   
-  echo " [I] Dumping database $dbName to $(realpath $buTarget)"
+  echo " [I] Dumping database $dbName to $buTarget"
   exep "mysqldump --single-transaction $dbName > \"$(realpath $buTarget)/${dbName}_backup_$(date +%Y%m%d-%H%M%S).sql\""
   endReturn -o $? "Error creating $dbName backup"
 }