diff --git a/docs/usage.md b/docs/usage.md
index 5d75928..2cbf1ec 100644
--- a/docs/usage.md
+++ b/docs/usage.md
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ It can be changed:
 The `import` command imports dotfiles to be managed by dotdrop.
 It copies the dotfile to your `dotpath` and updates the config file with the new entry.
 
-Note that dotdrop will dereference all symlinks when importing a file or directory.
+Dotdrop will ask for dereferencing symlinks on import unless `-f --force` is used.
 
 For example to import `~/.xinitrc`
 ```bash
diff --git a/dotdrop/dotdrop.py b/dotdrop/dotdrop.py
index a12fd40..8189788 100644
--- a/dotdrop/dotdrop.py
+++ b/dotdrop/dotdrop.py
@@ -374,6 +374,14 @@ def cmd_importer(o):
         dst = path.rstrip(os.sep)
         dst = os.path.abspath(dst)
 
+        if o.safe:
+            # ask for symlinks
+            realdst = os.path.realpath(dst)
+            if dst != realdst:
+                msg = '\"{}\" is a symlink, dereference it and continue?'
+                if not LOG.ask(msg.format(dst)):
+                    continue
+
         src = strip_home(dst)
         if o.import_as:
             # handle import as