diff --git a/mysql-test/t/ps.test b/mysql-test/t/ps.test
index 0b7539bfa03..bddf6f57ed1 100644
--- a/mysql-test/t/ps.test
+++ b/mysql-test/t/ps.test
@@ -1165,7 +1165,12 @@ show create table mysqltest.t2;
 drop database mysqltest;
 deallocate prepare stmt1;
 deallocate prepare stmt2;
+#
 # CREATE TABLE with DATA DIRECTORY option
+#
+# Protect ourselves from data left in tmp/ by a previos possibly failed
+# test
+--system rm -f $MYSQLTEST_VARDIR/tmp/t1.*
 --disable_query_log
 eval prepare stmt from "create table t1 (c char(10)) data directory='$MYSQLTEST_VARDIR/tmp'";
 --enable_query_log