The rupee depreciated 17 paise to 74.79 against the US dollar in opening trade on Thursday, following a strong dollar overseas and subdued sentiment in the domestic equities. However, lower crude prices and fresh foreign fund inflows restricted the rupee's fall, forex traders said.

At the interbank foreign exchange, the domestic unit opened weak at 74.75 against the dollar, then fell further to 74.79 in the morning session, registering a fall of 17 paise over its previous close. In the previous session, the rupee had settled at 74.62 against the US dollar.