diff --git a/pelican/tools/templates/Makefile.in b/pelican/tools/templates/Makefile.in
index 8dd91630..b15f48ae 100644
--- a/pelican/tools/templates/Makefile.in
+++ b/pelican/tools/templates/Makefile.in
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ $$(OUTPUTDIR)/%.html:
 	$$(PELICAN) $$(INPUTDIR) -o $$(OUTPUTDIR) -s $$(CONFFILE) $$(PELICANOPTS)
 
 clean:
-	find $$(OUTPUTDIR) -mindepth 1 -delete
+	[ ! -d $$(OUTPUTDIR) ] || find $$(OUTPUTDIR) -mindepth 1 -delete
 
 regenerate: clean
 	$$(PELICAN) -r $$(INPUTDIR) -o $$(OUTPUTDIR) -s $$(CONFFILE) $$(PELICANOPTS)