diff --git a/pymead/analysis/calc_aero_data.py b/pymead/analysis/calc_aero_data.py
index ed9de0e..76bac2a 100644
--- a/pymead/analysis/calc_aero_data.py
+++ b/pymead/analysis/calc_aero_data.py
@@ -845,8 +845,16 @@ def send_over_pipe(data: object):
 
     # Make the analysis directory if not already created
     base_dir = os.path.join(airfoil_coord_dir, airfoil_name)
-    if not os.path.exists(base_dir):
-        os.mkdir(base_dir)
+    try:
+        if not os.path.exists(base_dir):
+            os.mkdir(base_dir)
+    except FileNotFoundError as e:
+        if conn is not None:
+            send_over_pipe(("disp_message_box",
+                            f"Could not find analysis base directory {mset_settings['airfoil_analysis_dir']}"))
+            return
+        else:
+            raise FileNotFoundError(f"Could not find analysis base directory {mset_settings['airfoil_analysis_dir']}")
 
     if tool == 'XFOIL':
         if xfoil_settings is None:
diff --git a/pymead/gui/gui.py b/pymead/gui/gui.py
index 3fe2352..c513a87 100644
--- a/pymead/gui/gui.py
+++ b/pymead/gui/gui.py
@@ -1843,6 +1843,8 @@ def progress_update(self, status: str, data: object):
             self.output_area_text(data, line_break=True)
         elif status == "message" and isinstance(data, str):
             self.message_callback_fn(data)
+        elif status == "disp_message_box" and isinstance(data, str):
+            self.disp_message_box(data)
         elif status == "opt_progress" and isinstance(data, dict):
             callback = TextCallback(parent=self, text_list=data["text"], completed=data["completed"],
                                     warm_start_gen=data["warm_start_gen"])