diff --git a/src/tools/link.jam b/src/tools/link.jam
index 944911b3e..50ec485c6 100644
--- a/src/tools/link.jam
+++ b/src/tools/link.jam
@@ -488,7 +488,7 @@ if [ os.name ] = NT
 
 actions junction
 {
-    if exist "$(<)" del "$(<)"
+    if exist "$(<)" rmdir "$(<)"
     mklink /J "$(<)" "$(>)"
 }