diff --git a/youtube_dl/utils.py b/youtube_dl/utils.py
index 1f3bfef7d..f7dfb49b1 100644
--- a/youtube_dl/utils.py
+++ b/youtube_dl/utils.py
@@ -294,6 +294,8 @@ def sanitize_filename(s, restricted=False, is_id=False):
             return '_'
         return char
 
+    if s.startswith('.'):
+        s = s.lstrip('.')
     # Handle timestamps
     s = re.sub(r'[0-9]+(?::[0-9]+)+', lambda m: m.group(0).replace(':', '_'), s)
     result = ''.join(map(replace_insane, s))