diff --git a/src/engine/build.bat b/src/engine/build.bat
index fa14fc453..f927b7697 100644
--- a/src/engine/build.bat
+++ b/src/engine/build.bat
@@ -470,7 +470,7 @@ if "_%BJAM_UPDATE%_" == "_update_" (
 
 @echo ON
 @if "_%BJAM_UPDATE%_" == "_update_" goto Skip_Bootstrap
-rd /S /Q bootstrap
+if exist bootstrap rd /S /Q bootstrap
 md bootstrap
 @if not exist jamgram.y goto Bootstrap_GrammarPrep
 @if not exist jamgramtab.h goto Bootstrap_GrammarPrep