diff --git a/video2x/video2x.py b/video2x/video2x.py
index 3c165fd..a24c063 100755
--- a/video2x/video2x.py
+++ b/video2x/video2x.py
@@ -586,6 +586,9 @@ def main() -> int:
         if not args.input.is_file():
             logger.critical("Input path is not a file")
             return 1
+        if not args.output.parent.exists():
+            logger.critical(f"Output directory does not exist: {args.output.parent}")
+            return 1
 
         # set logger level
         if os.environ.get("LOGURU_LEVEL") is None: