diff --git a/pypungi/gather.py b/pypungi/gather.py
index 2d1c0dce..5b24c0c7 100755
--- a/pypungi/gather.py
+++ b/pypungi/gather.py
@@ -190,7 +190,9 @@ class Gather(yum.YumBase):
 
                 if not self.config.has_option('default', 'quiet'):
                     self.logger.info("%s already exists and appears to be complete" % local)
-                os.link(local, os.path.join(pkgdir, os.path.basename(remote)))
+                target=os.path.join(pkgdir, os.path.basename(remote))
+                os.remove(target) # avoid traceback after interrupted download
+                os.link(local, target)
                 continue
 
             # Disable cache otherwise things won't download