diff --git a/rtengine/safegtk.cc b/rtengine/safegtk.cc
index c0cf1e4d3..d55efdf3f 100644
--- a/rtengine/safegtk.cc
+++ b/rtengine/safegtk.cc
@@ -406,3 +406,16 @@ Glib::ustring safe_get_user_picture_dir() {
 
     #endif
 }
+
+#ifdef WIN32
+/*
+ * Test if the path is a root path based on the content of the string
+ *
+ * Warning: this function is a workaround for Windows platform, and not necessarily bullet proof
+ */
+bool safe_is_root_dir (const Glib::ustring& path) {
+	Glib::ustring t = Glib::path_skip_root(path);
+	return t.empty();
+}
+#endif
+
diff --git a/rtengine/safegtk.h b/rtengine/safegtk.h
index c9e832b00..ec8743ff4 100644
--- a/rtengine/safegtk.h
+++ b/rtengine/safegtk.h
@@ -41,4 +41,9 @@ int safe_g_rename(const Glib::ustring& oldFilename, const Glib::ustring& newFile
 int safe_g_mkdir_with_parents(const Glib::ustring& dirName, int mode);
 
 Glib::ustring safe_get_user_picture_dir();
+
+#ifdef WIN32
+bool safe_is_root_dir (const Glib::ustring& filename);
+#endif
+
 #endif
diff --git a/rtgui/profilepanel.cc b/rtgui/profilepanel.cc
index 94f2d6576..c4a92ded1 100644
--- a/rtgui/profilepanel.cc
+++ b/rtgui/profilepanel.cc
@@ -138,9 +138,23 @@ void ProfilePanel::save_clicked (GdkEventButton* event) {
     dialog.set_current_name (lastFilename);
 
     //Add the user's default (or global if multiuser=false) profile path to the Shortcut list
-    dialog.add_shortcut_folder(options.getPreferredProfilePath());
+#ifdef WIN32
+    // Dirty workaround, waiting for a clean solution by using exceptions!
+    if (!safe_is_root_dir(options.getPreferredProfilePath()))
+#endif
+    try {
+        dialog.add_shortcut_folder(options.getPreferredProfilePath());
+    }
+    catch (Gtk::FileChooserError &err) {}
     //Add the image's path to the Shortcut list
-    dialog.add_shortcut_folder(imagePath);
+#ifdef WIN32
+    // Dirty workaround, waiting for a clean solution by using exceptions!
+    if (!safe_is_root_dir(imagePath))
+#endif
+    try {
+        dialog.add_shortcut_folder(imagePath);
+    }
+    catch (Gtk::FileChooserError &err) {}
 
     //Add response buttons the the dialog:
     dialog.add_button(Gtk::StockID("gtk-cancel"), Gtk::RESPONSE_CANCEL);
@@ -272,9 +286,24 @@ void ProfilePanel::load_clicked (GdkEventButton* event) {
     FileChooserLastFolderPersister persister( &dialog, options.loadSaveProfilePath );
 
     //Add the user's default (or global if multiuser=false) profile path to the Shortcut list
-    dialog.add_shortcut_folder(options.getPreferredProfilePath());
+#ifdef WIN32
+    // Dirty workaround, waiting for a clean solution by using exceptions!
+    if (!safe_is_root_dir(options.getPreferredProfilePath()))
+#endif
+    try {
+        dialog.add_shortcut_folder(options.getPreferredProfilePath());
+    }
+    catch (Gtk::FileChooserError &err) {}
+
     //Add the image's path to the Shortcut list
-    dialog.add_shortcut_folder(imagePath);
+#ifdef WIN32
+    // Dirty workaround, waiting for a clean solution by using exceptions!
+    if (!safe_is_root_dir(imagePath))
+#endif
+    try {
+        dialog.add_shortcut_folder(imagePath);
+    }
+    catch (Gtk::FileChooserError &err) {}
 
     //Add response buttons the the dialog:
     dialog.add_button(Gtk::StockID("gtk-cancel"), Gtk::RESPONSE_CANCEL);
diff --git a/rtgui/saveasdlg.cc b/rtgui/saveasdlg.cc
index bb18a3fcf..6024ec250 100644
--- a/rtgui/saveasdlg.cc
+++ b/rtgui/saveasdlg.cc
@@ -255,6 +255,15 @@ void SaveAsDialog::setInitialFileName (Glib::ustring fname) {
 
 void SaveAsDialog::setImagePath (Glib::ustring ipath) {
 
+    Glib::ustring path = Glib::path_get_dirname(ipath);
+
     //Add the image's path to the Shortcut list
-    fchooser->add_shortcut_folder(Glib::path_get_dirname(ipath));
+#ifdef WIN32
+    // Dirty workaround, waiting for a clean solution by using exceptions!
+    if (!safe_is_root_dir(path))
+#endif
+    try {
+        fchooser->add_shortcut_folder(Glib::path_get_dirname(path));
+    }
+    catch (Gtk::FileChooserError &err) {}
 }