diff --git a/publish.py b/publish.py
index a313221..d07be6d 100755
--- a/publish.py
+++ b/publish.py
@@ -167,8 +167,9 @@ def publish_sphinx(module):
     output_dir = os.path.join(web_directory, module.get('name'))
     build_dir = os.path.join(checkout_dir, '_build/html')
     cmd = '%s/venv/bin/sphinx-build -b html -d _build/doctrees   . _build/html' % os.getcwd()
-    os.system('cd %s && %s' % (checkout_dir, cmd))
-    shutil.rmtree(output_dir)
+    os.system('cd %s && %s >/dev/null 2>&1' % (checkout_dir, cmd))
+    if os.path.isdir(output_dir):
+        shutil.rmtree(output_dir)
     shutil.copytree(build_dir, output_dir)