diff --git a/offlineimap/accounts.py b/offlineimap/accounts.py
index e4499fa..3e8fe18 100644
--- a/offlineimap/accounts.py
+++ b/offlineimap/accounts.py
@@ -393,6 +393,13 @@ def syncfolder(accountname, remoterepos, remotefolder, localrepos,
         localrepos.restore_atime()
     except (KeyboardInterrupt, SystemExit):
         raise
+    except OfflineImapError, e:
+        # bubble up severe Errors, skip folder otherwise
+        if e.severity > OfflineImapError.ERROR.FOLDER:
+            raise
+        else:
+            ui.warn("Aborting folder sync '%s' [acc: '%s']\nReason was: %s" %\
+                        (localfolder.name, accountname, e.reason))
     except:
         ui.warn("ERROR in syncfolder for %s folder %s: %s" % \
                 (accountname,remotefolder.getvisiblename(),
diff --git a/offlineimap/folder/IMAP.py b/offlineimap/folder/IMAP.py
index 9f60ded..9c91ddd 100644
--- a/offlineimap/folder/IMAP.py
+++ b/offlineimap/folder/IMAP.py
@@ -43,9 +43,13 @@ class IMAPFolder(BaseFolder):
 
     def selectro(self, imapobj):
         """Select this folder when we do not need write access.
+
         Prefer SELECT to EXAMINE if we can, since some servers
         (Courier) do not stabilize UID validity until the folder is
-        selected."""
+        selected. 
+        .. todo: Still valid? Needs verification
+
+        :returns: raises :exc:`OfflineImapError` severity FOLDER on error"""
         try:
             imapobj.select(self.getfullname())
         except imapobj.readonly:
diff --git a/offlineimap/imaplibutil.py b/offlineimap/imaplibutil.py
index 7c98fef..5faf036 100644
--- a/offlineimap/imaplibutil.py
+++ b/offlineimap/imaplibutil.py
@@ -23,8 +23,8 @@ import time
 import subprocess
 from offlineimap.ui import getglobalui
 import threading
+from offlineimap import OfflineImapError
 from offlineimap.imaplib2 import *
-
 # Import the symbols we need that aren't exported by default
 from offlineimap.imaplib2 import IMAP4_PORT, IMAP4_SSL_PORT, InternalDate, Mon2num
 
@@ -43,6 +43,10 @@ class UsefulIMAPMixIn:
         return None
 
     def select(self, mailbox='INBOX', readonly=None, force = 0):
+        """Selects a mailbox on the IMAP server
+
+        :returns: 'OK' on success, nothing if the folder was already
+        selected or raises an :exc:`OfflineImapError`"""
         if (not force) and self.getselectedfolder() == mailbox \
            and self.is_readonly == readonly:
             # No change; return.
@@ -51,7 +55,11 @@ class UsefulIMAPMixIn:
         del self.untagged_responses[:]
         result = self.__class__.__bases__[1].select(self, mailbox, readonly)
         if result[0] != 'OK':
-            raise ValueError, "Error from select: %s" % str(result)
+            #in case of error, bail out with OfflineImapError
+            errstr = "Error SELECTing mailbox '%s', server reply:\n%s" %\
+                (mailbox, result)
+            severity = OfflineImapError.ERROR.FOLDER
+            raise OfflineImapError(errstr, severity) 
         if self.getstate() == 'SELECTED':
             self.selectedfolder = mailbox
         else: