diff --git a/lib/cask.rb b/lib/cask.rb
index fe926891c..2c02a84c1 100644
--- a/lib/cask.rb
+++ b/lib/cask.rb
@@ -47,6 +47,9 @@ class Cask
 
   def self.init
     set_up_taps
+    # todo: Creating directories should be deferred until needed.
+    #       Currently this fire and even asks for sudo password
+    #       if a first-time user simply runs "brew cask --help".
     odebug 'Creating directories'
     HOMEBREW_CACHE.mkpath unless HOMEBREW_CACHE.exist?
     HOMEBREW_CACHE_CASKS.mkpath unless HOMEBREW_CACHE_CASKS.exist?
diff --git a/lib/cask/cli/doctor.rb b/lib/cask/cli/doctor.rb
index 0604da3da..f12057ae1 100644
--- a/lib/cask/cli/doctor.rb
+++ b/lib/cask/cli/doctor.rb
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ class Cask::CLI::Doctor < Cask::CLI::Base
     ohai 'Homebrew Origin:',                                 render_with_none_as_error( homebrew_origin )
     ohai 'Homebrew-cask Version:',                           render_with_none_as_error( HOMEBREW_CASK_VERSION )
     ohai 'Homebrew-cask Install Location:',                    render_install_location( HOMEBREW_CASK_VERSION )
+    ohai 'Homebrew-cask Staging Location:',                    render_staging_location( Cask.caskroom )
     ohai 'Homebrew-cask Cached Downloads:',                     render_cached_downloads
     ohai 'Homebrew-cask Default Tap Path:',                           render_tap_paths( fq_default_tap )
     ohai 'Homebrew-cask Alternate Cask Taps:',                        render_tap_paths( alt_taps )
@@ -150,6 +151,17 @@ class Cask::CLI::Doctor < Cask::CLI::Base
     end
   end
 
+  def self.render_staging_location(path)
+    path = Pathname.new(path)
+    if !path.exist?
+      %Q{#{path} #{error_string %Q{error: path does not exist}}}
+    elsif !path.writable?
+      %Q{#{path} #{error_string %Q{error: not writable by current user}}}
+    else
+      path
+    end
+  end
+
   def self.render_load_path(paths)
     if paths.nil? or paths.size == 0
       return "#{none_string} #{error_string}"