The rupee depreciated by 17 paise to Rs 45.62 a dollar in early trade today following weak domestic equity markets.

Dealers said dollar's gains against other currencies and a weak opening at bourses weighed on the rupee sentiment.

The rupee had ended 3 paise down at Rs 45.45/46 a dollar in the previous session.

Meanwhile, the BSE benchmark Sensex opened lower by 154.10 points at 18,824.22 points.