diff --git a/radicale/__init__.py b/radicale/__init__.py
index 12932e8..8ded6d1 100644
--- a/radicale/__init__.py
+++ b/radicale/__init__.py
@@ -32,7 +32,6 @@ import os
 import sys
 import pprint
 import base64
-import posixpath
 import socket
 import ssl
 import wsgiref.simple_server
@@ -48,7 +47,7 @@ except ImportError:
     from urlparse import urlparse
 # pylint: enable=F0401,E0611
 
-from . import auth, config, ical, log, rights, storage, xmlutils
+from . import auth, config, ical, log, pathutils, rights, storage, xmlutils
 
 
 VERSION = "1.0.1"
@@ -179,15 +178,7 @@ class Application(object):
     def sanitize_uri(uri):
         """Unquote and make absolute to prevent access to other data."""
         uri = unquote(uri)
-        trailing_slash = "/" if uri.endswith("/") else ""
-        uri = posixpath.normpath(uri)
-        new_uri = "/"
-        for part in uri.split("/"):
-            if not part or part in (".", ".."):
-                continue
-            new_uri = posixpath.join(new_uri, part)
-        trailing_slash = "" if new_uri.endswith("/") else trailing_slash
-        return new_uri + trailing_slash
+        return pathutils.sanitize_path(uri)
 
     def collect_allowed_items(self, items, user):
         """Get items from request that user is allowed to access."""
diff --git a/radicale/pathutils.py b/radicale/pathutils.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5a0e0c8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/radicale/pathutils.py
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+#
+# This file is part of Radicale Server - Calendar Server
+#
+# This library is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+# (at your option) any later version.
+#
+# This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
+#
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with Radicale.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+"""
+Helper functions for working with paths
+
+"""
+
+import posixpath
+
+
+def sanitize_path(path):
+    """Make absolute (with leading slash) to prevent access to other data.
+       Preserves an potential trailing slash."""
+    trailing_slash = "/" if path.endswith("/") else ""
+    path = posixpath.normpath(path)
+    new_path = "/"
+    for part in path.split("/"):
+        if not part or part in (".", ".."):
+            continue
+        new_path = posixpath.join(new_path, part)
+    trailing_slash = "" if new_path.endswith("/") else trailing_slash
+    return new_path + trailing_slash
\ No newline at end of file