diff --git a/aqt/profiles.py b/aqt/profiles.py
index 37db4e12d..a436e907d 100644
--- a/aqt/profiles.py
+++ b/aqt/profiles.py
@@ -231,7 +231,10 @@ and no other programs are accessing your profile folders, then try again."""))
         new = not os.path.exists(path)
         def recover():
             # if we can't load profile, start with a new one
-            os.rename(path, path+".broken")
+            broken = path+".broken"
+            if os.path.exists(broken):
+                os.unlink(broken)
+            os.rename(path, broken)
             QMessageBox.warning(
                 None, "Preferences Corrupt", """\
 Anki's prefs.db file was corrupt and has been recreated. If you were using multiple \