diff --git a/src/pre_process/m_start_up.fpp b/src/pre_process/m_start_up.fpp
index 3b45547c29..92b721a31d 100644
--- a/src/pre_process/m_start_up.fpp
+++ b/src/pre_process/m_start_up.fpp
@@ -355,7 +355,7 @@ contains
         ! the time-step directory that will contain the new grid and initial
         ! condition data are also generated.
         if (old_ic .neqv. .true.) then
-            call s_delete_directory(trim(proc_rank_dir)//'/*')
+            call s_delete_directory(trim(proc_rank_dir))
             call s_create_directory(trim(proc_rank_dir)//'/0')
         end if
 
@@ -505,7 +505,7 @@ contains
         ! process may be cleaned out to make room for new pre-process data.
         ! In addition, the time-step folder that will contain the new grid
         ! and initial condition data are also generated.
-        call s_create_directory(trim(proc_rank_dir)//'/*')
+        call s_delete_directory(trim(proc_rank_dir))
         call s_create_directory(trim(proc_rank_dir)//'/0')
 
     end subroutine s_read_serial_ic_data_files