diff --git a/direnvrc b/direnvrc
index 95de2e3..da82768 100644
--- a/direnvrc
+++ b/direnvrc
@@ -99,8 +99,9 @@ _nix_import_env() {
   # We cannot rely on this directory being availble at all times,
   # as it may be garbage collected.
   # Instead - just remove it immediately.
+  # Use recursive & force as it may not be empty.
   if [[ "$NIX_BUILD_TOP" == */nix-shell.* && -d "$NIX_BUILD_TOP" ]]; then
-    rmdir "$NIX_BUILD_TOP"
+    rm -rf "$NIX_BUILD_TOP"
   fi
 
   _nix_export_or_unset NIX_BUILD_TOP "$old_nix_build_top"