diff --git a/regress/test-exec.sh b/regress/test-exec.sh
index e337f814a..5394119bd 100644
--- a/regress/test-exec.sh
+++ b/regress/test-exec.sh
@@ -153,6 +153,7 @@ SCP_BIN=${SCP}
 
 if [ "x$USE_VALGRIND" != "x" ]; then
 	mkdir -p $OBJ/valgrind-out
+	rm -f $OBJ/valgrind-out/*
 	# ensure agent low-priv tests can write logs.
 	chmod 777 $OBJ/valgrind-out
 	VG_TEST=`basename $SCRIPT .sh`