diff --git a/tox.ini b/tox.ini
index 9be8e23f75..df645c0b97 100644
--- a/tox.ini
+++ b/tox.ini
@@ -15,12 +15,18 @@ commands =
   ostestr {posargs}
 
 [testenv:releasenotes]
-commands = sphinx-build -a -E -W -d releasenotes/build/doctrees \
+whitelist_externals = rm
+commands =
+  rm -rf releasenotes/build
+  sphinx-build -a -E -W -d releasenotes/build/doctrees \
          -b html releasenotes/source releasenotes/build/html
 
 [testenv:install-guide]
 # builds to install-guide/build/html
-commands = sphinx-build -a -E -W -d install-guide/build/doctrees -b html install-guide/source install-guide/build/html
+whitelist_externals = rm
+commands =
+  rm -rf install-guide/build
+  sphinx-build -a -E -W -d install-guide/build/doctrees -b html install-guide/source install-guide/build/html
 
 [testenv:debug]
 commands = oslo_debug_helper {posargs}