echo BACKMEUPSCOTTY: Syncing $1 to $REMOTE_HOST:$REMOTE_BASE/$2 @$timestamp
 
+    if [ ! -d "$1" ]; then
+       echo BACKMEUPSCOTTY: Source dir $1 does not exist. Not syncing! >&2
+       return 1
+    fi
+
+    if [ $(ls -A "$1" | wc -l) -eq 0 ]; then
+       echo BACKMEUPSCOTTY: Source dir $1 is empty. Not syncing! >&2
+       return 1
+    fi
+
     dir_current=$REMOTE_BASE/$2/current
     dir_incomplete=$REMOTE_BASE/$2/incomplete
     dir_timestamped=$REMOTE_BASE/$2/$timestamp-$(date -d @$timestamp +%Y%m%d%H%M%S)