3 files changed, 13 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/Arduino.mk b/Arduino.mk
index a352628..42dfef0 100644
--- a/Arduino.mk
+++ b/Arduino.mk
@@ -279,6 +279,12 @@ else
     $(call show_config_variable,ARDUINO_DIR,[USER])
 endif
 
+ifeq ($(CURRENT_OS),WINDOWS)
+    ifneq ($(shell echo $(ARDUINO_DIR) | egrep '^(/|[a-zA-Z]:\\)'),)
+        echo $(error On Windows, ARDUINO_DIR must be a relative path)
+    endif
+endif
+
 ########################################################################
 # Default TARGET to pwd (ex Daniele Vergini)
 
diff --git a/HISTORY.md b/HISTORY.md
index d20f7da..632753a 100644
--- a/HISTORY.md
+++ b/HISTORY.md
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ I tried to give credit whenever possible. If I have missed anyone, kindly add it
 - Tweak: Allow spaces in "Serial.begin (....)". (Issue #190) (https://github.com/pdav)
 - Add: Add support for compiling assembler code. (Issue #195) (https://github.com/hrobeers)
 - Add: Try to guess port from wildcards if not specified. (Issue #197) (https://github.com/tuzz)
+- Fix: Check that on windows ARDUINO_DIR (and MPIDE_DIR) is a relative path. (Issue #201 and #202) (https://github.com/sej7278)
 
 ### 1.3.3 (2014-04-12)
 - Fix: Make a new manpage for ard-reset-arduino. Fixes issue #188 (https://github.com/sej7278)
diff --git a/chipKIT.mk b/chipKIT.mk
index 19a4a4a..06d85e3 100644
--- a/chipKIT.mk
+++ b/chipKIT.mk
@@ -47,6 +47,12 @@ else
     $(call show_config_variable,MPIDE_DIR,[USER])
 endif
 
+ifeq ($(CURRENT_OS),WINDOWS)
+    ifneq ($(shell echo $(ARDUINO_DIR) | egrep '^(/|[a-zA-Z]:\\)'),)
+        echo $(error On Windows, MPIDE_DIR must be a relative path)
+    endif
+endif
+
 ifndef MPIDE_PREFERENCES_PATH
     AUTO_MPIDE_PREFERENCES_PATH := $(firstword \
         $(call dir_if_exists,$(HOME)/.mpide/preferences.txt) \