diff --git a/worker/imap/list.go b/worker/imap/list.go
index 75f189f..6aecbca 100644
--- a/worker/imap/list.go
+++ b/worker/imap/list.go
@@ -12,6 +12,10 @@ func (imapw *IMAPWorker) handleListDirectories(msg *types.ListDirectories) {
 
 	go func() {
 		for mbox := range mailboxes {
+			if !canOpen(mbox) {
+				// no need to pass this to handlers if it can't be opened
+				continue
+			}
 			imapw.worker.PostMessage(&types.Directory{
 				Message:    types.RespondTo(msg),
 				Name:       mbox.Name,
@@ -30,3 +34,12 @@ func (imapw *IMAPWorker) handleListDirectories(msg *types.ListDirectories) {
 			&types.Done{types.RespondTo(msg)}, nil)
 	}
 }
+
+func canOpen(mbox *imap.MailboxInfo) bool {
+	for _, attr := range mbox.Attributes {
+		if attr == imap.NoSelectAttr {
+			return false
+		}
+	}
+	return true
+}