diff --git a/cdist/conf/type/__lxc_container/gencode-remote b/cdist/conf/type/__lxc_container/gencode-remote
index f9e4dceb..42e1e43e 100755
--- a/cdist/conf/type/__lxc_container/gencode-remote
+++ b/cdist/conf/type/__lxc_container/gencode-remote
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ LXC
                 # remove empty tempfile if it was created
                 if [ -f "$__object/parameter/no-default-config" ]; then
                     cat <<RM
-rm -rf "\$empty_conf"
+rm -f "\$empty_conf"
 RM
                 fi
             fi
@@ -231,7 +231,7 @@ DONE
 
     # apply all changes
     cat <<DONE
-rm -rf "$container_config"
+rm -f "$container_config"
 mv "\$tmpconfig" "$container_config"
 DONE
     echo "config" >> "$__messages_out"