diff --git a/src/test_tmpfs.py b/src/test_tmpfs.py
index 1749168..9961c20 100755
--- a/src/test_tmpfs.py
+++ b/src/test_tmpfs.py
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@ def measure_tmpfs_impact(file_size_in_mib: int):
     '''measures the effect of tmpfs file on meminfo variables
     '''
     stresser_file_path = Path('/dev/shm/tmpfs-stresser.bin')
+    if stresser_file_path.exists():
+        stresser_file_path.unlink()
 
     ramana_out_root = Path('./ramana-out')
     ramana_out_root.mkdir(exist_ok=True)