diff --git a/aqt/exporting.py b/aqt/exporting.py
index bc373b077..3d80266b4 100644
--- a/aqt/exporting.py
+++ b/aqt/exporting.py
@@ -64,13 +64,20 @@ class ExportDialog(QDialog):
             self.exporter.did):
             verbatim = True
             # it's a verbatim apkg export, so place on desktop instead of
-            # choosing file
+            # choosing file; use homedir if no desktop
+            usingHomedir = False
             file = os.path.join(QDesktopServices.storageLocation(
                 QDesktopServices.DesktopLocation), "collection.apkg")
+            if not os.path.exists(os.path.dirname(file)):
+                usingHomedir = True
+                file = os.path.join(QDesktopServices.storageLocation(
+                    QDesktopServices.HomeLocation), "collection.apkg")
             if os.path.exists(file):
-                if not askUser(
-                    _("%s already exists on your desktop. Overwrite it?")%
-                    "collection.apkg"):
+                if usingHomedir:
+                    question = _("%s already exists in your home directory. Overwrite it?")
+                else:
+                    question = _("%s already exists on your desktop. Overwrite it?")
+                if not askUser(question % "collection.apkg"):
                     return
         else:
             verbatim = False
@@ -100,7 +107,11 @@ class ExportDialog(QDialog):
                 os.unlink(file)
                 self.exporter.exportInto(file)
                 if verbatim:
-                    msg = _("A file called collection.apkg was saved on your desktop.")
+                    if usingHomedir:
+                        msg = _("A file called %s was saved in your home directory.")
+                    else:
+                        msg = _("A file called %s was saved on your desktop.")
+                    msg = msg % "collection.apkg"
                     period = 5000
                 else:
                     period = 3000