diff --git a/webnotes/translate.py b/webnotes/translate.py
index 3a2dacea43..476ce19b97 100644
--- a/webnotes/translate.py
+++ b/webnotes/translate.py
@@ -277,6 +277,9 @@ def export_messages(lang, outfile):
 	messages = {}
 	# extract messages
 	for (basepath, folders, files) in os.walk('.'):
+		if 'files' in folders: folders.remove('files')
+		if 'backups' in folders: folders.remove('backups')
+		
 		def _get_messages(messages, basepath, mtype):
 			mlist = get_messages(basepath, mtype)
 			if not mlist: