diff --git a/projectui/src/org/netbeans/modules/project/ui/zip/ExportZIP.java b/projectui/src/org/netbeans/modules/project/ui/zip/ExportZIP.java
--- a/projectui/src/org/netbeans/modules/project/ui/zip/ExportZIP.java
+++ b/projectui/src/org/netbeans/modules/project/ui/zip/ExportZIP.java
@@ -279,6 +279,7 @@
 
     @Messages({
         "ERR_no_proj=No project selected.",
+        "ERR_remote=Export to ZIP feature is not supported for remote projects",
         "ERR_no_root=Must select a root directory to package.",
         "# {0} - directory", "ERR_no_dir={0} does not exist.",
         "ERR_no_zip=Must select a ZIP to export to.",
@@ -287,9 +288,14 @@
     })
     private boolean check(NotificationLineSupport notifications) {
         notifications.clearMessages();
-        if (projectRadio.isSelected() && projectCombo.getSelectedIndex() == -1) {
-            notifications.setInformationMessage(ERR_no_proj());
-            return false;
+        if (projectRadio.isSelected()) {
+            if (projectCombo.getSelectedIndex() == -1) {
+                notifications.setInformationMessage(ERR_no_proj());
+                return false;
+            } else if (root() == null) {
+                notifications.setErrorMessage(ERR_remote());
+                return false;
+            }
         } else if (otherRadio.isSelected()) {
             String t = otherField.getText();
             if (t.isEmpty()) {