diff --git a/mopidy/local/storage.py b/mopidy/local/storage.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d83bdf77
--- /dev/null
+++ b/mopidy/local/storage.py
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+from __future__ import unicode_literals
+
+import logging
+import os
+
+from mopidy.utils import encoding, path
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+def check_dirs_and_files(config):
+    if not os.path.isdir(config['local']['media_dir']):
+        logger.warning(
+            'Local media dir %s does not exist.' %
+            config['local']['media_dir'])
+
+    try:
+        path.get_or_create_dir(config['local']['data_dir'])
+    except EnvironmentError as error:
+        logger.warning(
+            'Could not create local data dir: %s',
+            encoding.locale_decode(error))
+
+    # TODO: replace with data dir?
+    try:
+        path.get_or_create_dir(config['local']['playlists_dir'])
+    except EnvironmentError as error:
+        logger.warning(
+            'Could not create local playlists dir: %s',
+            encoding.locale_decode(error))