diff --git a/jrnl/plugins/text_exporter.py b/jrnl/plugins/text_exporter.py
index 931305ef..4451cfef 100644
--- a/jrnl/plugins/text_exporter.py
+++ b/jrnl/plugins/text_exporter.py
@@ -31,18 +31,19 @@ class TextExporter:
     @classmethod
     def write_file(cls, journal, path):
         """Exports a journal into a single file."""
+        export_str = cls.export_journal(journal)
         with open(path, "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-            f.write(cls.export_journal(journal))
-            print_msg(
-                Message(
-                    MsgText.JournalExportedTo,
-                    MsgStyle.NORMAL,
-                    {
-                        "path": path,
-                    },
-                )
+            f.write(export_str)
+        print_msg(
+            Message(
+                MsgText.JournalExportedTo,
+                MsgStyle.NORMAL,
+                {
+                    "path": path,
+                },
             )
-            return ""
+        )
+        return ""
 
     @classmethod
     def make_filename(cls, entry):
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_export.py b/tests/unit/test_export.py
index 27e60d80..25528fd7 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test_export.py
+++ b/tests/unit/test_export.py
@@ -1,10 +1,16 @@
 # Copyright © 2012-2022 jrnl contributors
 # License: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.html
 
+from pathlib import Path
+from tempfile import TemporaryDirectory
+
 import pytest
+from ruamel.yaml import YAML
 
 from jrnl.exception import JrnlException
+from jrnl.Journal import PlainJournal
 from jrnl.plugins.fancy_exporter import check_provided_linewrap_viability
+from jrnl.plugins.text_exporter import TextExporter
 
 
 @pytest.fixture()
@@ -12,6 +18,14 @@ def datestr():
     yield "2020-10-20 16:59"
 
 
+@pytest.fixture()
+def simple_journal():
+    with open("tests/data/configs/simple.yaml") as f:
+        yaml = YAML(typ="safe")
+        config = yaml.load(f)
+    return PlainJournal("simple_journal", **config).open()
+
+
 def build_card_header(datestr):
     top_left_corner = "┎─╮"
     content = top_left_corner + datestr
@@ -28,3 +42,12 @@ class TestFancy:
 
         with pytest.raises(JrnlException):
             check_provided_linewrap_viability(total_linewrap, [content], journal)
+
+
+class TestYaml:
+    def test_export_to_nonexisting_folder(self, simple_journal):
+        with TemporaryDirectory() as tmpdir:
+            p = Path(tmpdir / "non_existing_folder")
+            with pytest.raises(JrnlException):
+                TextExporter.write_file(simple_journal, p)
+            assert not p.exists()