In this study we provide a first estimate of the aethalometer multiple scattering correction C<sub>ref</sub> for mineral dust aerosols. The C<sub>ref</sub> at 450 and 660 nm was obtained from the direct comparison of aethalometer data (Magee Sci. AE31) with the absorption coefficient calculated as the difference between the extinction and scattering coefficients measured by a CAPS PMex and a nephelometer at 450 nm and the absorption coefficient from a MAAP (Multi-Angle Absorption Photometer) at 660 nm. Measurements were performed on seven dust aerosol samples generated in the laboratory by the mechanical shaking of natural parent soils issued from different source regions worldwide. The single scattering albedo (SSA) at 450 and 660 nm and the size distribution of the aerosols were also measured. <br><br> C<sub>ref</sub> for mineral dust varies between 1.81 and 2.56 for a SSA of 0.85–0.96 at 450 nm and between 1.75 and 2.28 for a SSA of 0.98–0.99 at 660 nm. The calculated mean C<sub>ref</sub> for dust is 2.09 (± 0.22) at 450 nm and 1.92 (± 0.17) at 660 nm. With this new C<sub>ref</sub> the dust absorption coefficient by aethalometer is about 2 % (450 nm) and 11 % (660 nm) higher than that obtained by using C<sub>ref</sub> = 2.14, usually assumed in the literature. This difference induces up to 3 % change in the dust SSA. The C<sub>ref</sub> seems independent of the particle fine and coarse size fractions, and so the obtained C<sub>ref</sub> can be applied to dust both close to sources and following transport. Additional experiments performed with pure kaolinite mineral and polluted ambient aerosols indicate a C<sub>ref</sub> of 2.49 (± 0.02) and 2.32 (± 0.01) at 450 and 660 nm (SSA = 0.96–0.97) for kaolinite, and a C<sub>ref</sub> of 2.32 (± 0.36) at 450 nm and 2.32 (± 0.35) at 660 nm for pollution aerosols (SSA = 0.62–0.87 at 450 nm and 0.42–0.76 at 660 nm).