diff --git a/oml/item/models.py b/oml/item/models.py
index f894cfc..27e4191 100644
--- a/oml/item/models.py
+++ b/oml/item/models.py
@@ -797,6 +797,8 @@ class File(db.Model):
                 shutil.move(current_path, path)
             except:
                 logger.debug('failed to move %s to %s', current_path, path, exc_info=True)
+                if os.path.exists(path) and os.path.exists(current_path):
+                    os.unlink(path)
                 return
             self.path = new_path
             self.save()