diff --git a/imapbackup.py b/imapbackup.py
index f268c79..4a0f0fe 100644
--- a/imapbackup.py
+++ b/imapbackup.py
@@ -270,6 +270,7 @@ def scan_file(filename, compress, overwrite, nospinner):
 def scan_folder(server, foldername, nospinner):
     """Gets IDs of messages in the specified folder, returns id:num dict"""
     messages = {}
+    foldername = '"{}"'.format(foldername)
     spinner = Spinner("Folder %s" % foldername, nospinner)
     try:
         typ, data = server.select(foldername, readonly=True)
diff --git a/imapbackup38.py b/imapbackup38.py
index 4fb2556..bb594f4 100644
--- a/imapbackup38.py
+++ b/imapbackup38.py
@@ -259,6 +259,7 @@ def scan_file(filename, overwrite, nospinner, basedir):
 def scan_folder(server, foldername, nospinner):
     """Gets IDs of messages in the specified folder, returns id:num dict"""
     messages = {}
+    foldername = '"{}"'.format(foldername)
     spinner = Spinner("Folder %s" % foldername, nospinner)
     try:
         typ, data = server.select(foldername, readonly=True)