diff --git a/blender_cloud/blender.py b/blender_cloud/blender.py
index a303314..0cbbe10 100644
--- a/blender_cloud/blender.py
+++ b/blender_cloud/blender.py
@@ -23,6 +23,11 @@ class BlenderCloudPreferences(AddonPreferences):
         default='https://pillar.blender.org:5000/'
     )
 
+    local_texture_dir = StringProperty(
+        name='Default Blender Cloud texture storage directory',
+        subtype='DIR_PATH',
+        default='//textures')
+
     def draw(self, context):
         layout = self.layout
 
@@ -53,6 +58,11 @@ class BlenderCloudPreferences(AddonPreferences):
         sub.label(text=blender_id_text, icon=blender_id_icon)
         sub.label(text="* " + blender_id_help)
 
+        sub = layout.column()
+        sub.label(text='Local directory for downloaded textures')
+        sub.prop(self, "local_texture_dir", text='Default')
+        sub.prop(context.scene, "local_texture_dir", text='Current scene')
+
         # options for Pillar
         sub = layout.column()
         sub.enabled = blender_id_icon != 'ERROR'
@@ -111,10 +121,19 @@ def register():
         name="Blender Cloud node UUID",
         default='')  # empty == top-level of project
 
-    Scene.blender_cloud_dir = StringProperty(
-        name='Blender Cloud texture storage directory',
+    addon_prefs = preferences()
+
+    def default_if_empty(scene, context):
+        """The scene's local_texture_dir, if empty, reverts to the addon prefs."""
+
+        if not scene.local_texture_dir:
+            scene.local_texture_dir = addon_prefs.local_texture_dir
+
+    Scene.local_texture_dir = StringProperty(
+        name='Blender Cloud texture storage directory for current scene',
         subtype='DIR_PATH',
-        default='//textures')
+        default=addon_prefs.local_texture_dir,
+        update=default_if_empty)
 
 
 def unregister():
diff --git a/blender_cloud/gui.py b/blender_cloud/gui.py
index b93e2fe..b6f2ee6 100644
--- a/blender_cloud/gui.py
+++ b/blender_cloud/gui.py
@@ -600,7 +600,7 @@ class BlenderCloudBrowser(bpy.types.Operator):
         node_path_components = [node['name'] for node in self.path_stack if node is not None]
         local_path_components = [self.project_uuid] + node_path_components + [self.node['name']]
 
-        top_texture_directory = bpy.path.abspath(context.scene.blender_cloud_dir)
+        top_texture_directory = bpy.path.abspath(context.scene.local_texture_dir)
         local_path = os.path.join(top_texture_directory, *local_path_components)
         meta_path = os.path.join(top_texture_directory, '.blender_cloud')