diff --git a/stapler/data_dir.py b/stapler/data_dir.py
index 12516a4..b805b6c 100644
--- a/stapler/data_dir.py
+++ b/stapler/data_dir.py
@@ -99,7 +99,8 @@ class DataDir:
             self.logger.debug("Deleted %s", target_path)
 
     def empty(self, path: str) -> None:
-        self.remove(path)
+        if self.exists(path):
+            self.remove(path)
         target_path = self.root_path / path
         target_path.mkdir()
         self.logger.debug("Created empty %s", target_path)