diff --git a/publish.py b/publish.py
index d07be6d..691b4f3 100755
--- a/publish.py
+++ b/publish.py
@@ -166,6 +166,7 @@ def publish_sphinx(module):
     checkout_dir = os.path.join(checkouts_directory, module.get('name'))
     output_dir = os.path.join(web_directory, module.get('name'))
     build_dir = os.path.join(checkout_dir, '_build/html')
+    os.system('rm -rf %s' % build_dir)
     cmd = '%s/venv/bin/sphinx-build -b html -d _build/doctrees   . _build/html' % os.getcwd()
     os.system('cd %s && %s >/dev/null 2>&1' % (checkout_dir, cmd))
     if os.path.isdir(output_dir):