diff --git a/isalbuild/Makefile b/isalbuild/Makefile
index e5a757151..a82ec72cf 100644
--- a/isalbuild/Makefile
+++ b/isalbuild/Makefile
@@ -50,4 +50,4 @@ install: all
 
 clean:
 	$(Q)$(MAKE) -C $(SPDK_ROOT_DIR)/isa-l clean $(REDIRECT)
-	$(Q)rm -f $(ISAL_DIR)/isa-l
+	$(Q)rm -rf $(ISAL_DIR)/isa-l