diff --git a/qutebrowser/utils/standarddir.py b/qutebrowser/utils/standarddir.py
index c58eac77c..04e3e342f 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/utils/standarddir.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/utils/standarddir.py
@@ -359,9 +359,11 @@ def _move_data(old, new):
     log.init.debug("Migrating data from {} to {}".format(old, new))
 
     if os.path.exists(new):
-        message.error("Failed to move data from {} as {} already exists!"
-                      .format(old, new))
-        return False
+        if os.listdir(new):
+            message.error("Failed to move data from {} as {} is non-empty!"
+                          .format(old, new))
+            return False
+        os.rmdir(new)
 
     try:
         shutil.move(old, new)
diff --git a/tests/unit/utils/test_standarddir.py b/tests/unit/utils/test_standarddir.py
index c3a4c2e5c..b7c23071e 100644
--- a/tests/unit/utils/test_standarddir.py
+++ b/tests/unit/utils/test_standarddir.py
@@ -389,7 +389,7 @@ class TestDataMigrations:
             standarddir._move_webengine_data()
 
         record = caplog.records[-1]
-        expected = "Failed to move data from {} as {} already exists!".format(
+        expected = "Failed to move data from {} as {} is non-empty!".format(
             old_path, new_path)
         assert record.message == expected