diff --git a/src/hosts/tui/import_export_modal.py b/src/hosts/tui/import_export_modal.py
index 7f1b8a9..b3c792f 100644
--- a/src/hosts/tui/import_export_modal.py
+++ b/src/hosts/tui/import_export_modal.py
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 from dataclasses import dataclass
 from pathlib import Path
 
+from rich.text import Text
 from textual.app import ComposeResult
 from textual.binding import Binding
 from textual.containers import Grid, Horizontal, Vertical
@@ -258,6 +259,8 @@ class ImportModal(_FormatModal):
 class ParentDirectoryTree(DirectoryTree):
     """Directory tree with a conventional parent entry above its root."""
 
+    PARENT_ICON = "↑ "
+
     def _populate_node(self, node, content) -> None:
         super()._populate_node(node, content)
         if node is not self.root or node.data is None:
@@ -272,6 +275,18 @@ class ParentDirectoryTree(DirectoryTree):
                 before=0,
             )
 
+    def render_label(self, node, base_style, style) -> Text:
+        """Render the parent entry as navigation rather than as a file."""
+        if str(node.label) != "..":
+            return super().render_label(node, base_style, style)
+
+        label = node.label.copy()
+        label.stylize(style)
+        label.stylize_before(
+            self.get_component_rich_style("directory-tree--folder", partial=True)
+        )
+        return Text.assemble((self.PARENT_ICON, base_style), label)
+
 
 class FileBrowserModal(ModalScreen[Path | None]):
     """A keyboard-accessible directory tree for file and folder selection."""
diff --git a/tests/test_import_export_workflow.py b/tests/test_import_export_workflow.py
index e6e37a3..339d87f 100644
--- a/tests/test_import_export_workflow.py
+++ b/tests/test_import_export_workflow.py
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 from unittest.mock import Mock
 
 import pytest
+from rich.style import Style
 from textual.containers import Vertical
 from textual.widgets import Button, DirectoryTree, Input, RadioButton, RadioSet, Static
 
@@ -141,6 +142,9 @@ async def test_file_browser_presents_parent_directory_as_dot_dot(tmp_path):
         await pilot.pause()
 
         assert str(tree.root.children[0].label) == ".."
+        assert tree.render_label(
+            tree.root.children[0], Style(), Style()
+        ).plain.startswith("↑ ")
         assert len(browser.query("#up-button")) == 0
 
         tree.focus()