The rupee fell marginally by 5 paise to 49.27 against the US dollar on the Interbank Foreign Exchange market in early trade today, following increased demand for the American currency from importers.
However, a higher opening in the equity market capped the rupee's losses.
Dealers said apart from dollar gains against the euro, increased demand for the American currency from importers mainly weighed on the rupee sentiment.
The rupee had gained eight paise to close at one-week high of Rs 49.22/23 against the US currency yesterday.
The BSE benchmark Sensex rose by 56.79 points, or 0.31%, to 18,202.04 in early trade.