diff --git a/lib/common/file-system.ts b/lib/common/file-system.ts
index 945f165f97..de27f0cd2e 100644
--- a/lib/common/file-system.ts
+++ b/lib/common/file-system.ts
@@ -200,7 +200,16 @@ export class FileSystem implements IFileSystem {
 	}
 
 	public createDirectory(path: string): void {
-		mkdirp.sync(path);
+		try {
+			mkdirp.sync(path);
+		} catch (error) {
+			const $errors = this.$injector.resolve("errors");
+			let errorMessage = `Unable to create directory ${path}. \nError is: ${error}.`;
+			if (error.code === "EACCES") {
+				errorMessage += "\n\nYou may need to call the command with 'sudo'.";
+			}
+			$errors.fail(errorMessage);
+		}
 	}
 
 	public readDirectory(path: string): string[] {