diff --git a/vasl_templates/webapp/tests/test_counters.py b/vasl_templates/webapp/tests/test_counters.py
index 09d55ef..a978b22 100644
--- a/vasl_templates/webapp/tests/test_counters.py
+++ b/vasl_templates/webapp/tests/test_counters.py
@@ -109,8 +109,9 @@ def test_counter_images( webapp ):
     # initialize
     check_dir = os.path.join( os.path.split(__file__)[0], "fixtures" )
     save_dir = os.environ.get( "COUNTERS_SAVEDIR" ) # nb: define this to save the generated reports
-    if save_dir and os.path.isdir(save_dir):
-        shutil.rmtree( save_dir )
+    if save_dir:
+        if os.path.isdir( save_dir ):
+            shutil.rmtree( save_dir )
         os.makedirs( save_dir )
 
     # test each VASL module file in the specified directory