diff --git a/compute_hyperv/nova/vmops.py b/compute_hyperv/nova/vmops.py
index c988a2bc..486e5d31 100644
--- a/compute_hyperv/nova/vmops.py
+++ b/compute_hyperv/nova/vmops.py
@@ -310,7 +310,7 @@ class VMOps(object):
 
         instance_dir = self._pathutils.get_instance_dir(instance.name,
                                                         create_dir=False)
-        if instance_dir:
+        if os.path.exists(instance_dir):
             LOG.info("Instance directory already exists."
                      "Reusing existing files.")
 
diff --git a/compute_hyperv/tests/unit/test_vmops.py b/compute_hyperv/tests/unit/test_vmops.py
index 1933405d..5305d4a2 100644
--- a/compute_hyperv/tests/unit/test_vmops.py
+++ b/compute_hyperv/tests/unit/test_vmops.py
@@ -510,6 +510,8 @@ class VMOpsTestCase(test_base.HyperVBaseTestCase):
         fake_config_drive_path = mock_create_config_drive.return_value
         block_device_info = {'ephemerals': [], 'root_disk': root_device_info}
 
+        self._vmops._pathutils.get_instance_dir.return_value = (
+            'fake-instance-dir')
         self._vmops._vmutils.vm_exists.return_value = exists
         mock_configdrive_required.return_value = configdrive_required
         mock_create_instance.side_effect = fail
@@ -532,6 +534,8 @@ class VMOpsTestCase(test_base.HyperVBaseTestCase):
                               mock.sentinel.network_info, block_device_info)
             self._vmops._vmutils.vm_exists.assert_called_once_with(
                 mock_instance.name)
+            self._vmops._pathutils.get_instance_dir.assert_called_once_with(
+                mock_instance.name, create_dir=False)
             mock_validate_and_update_bdi = (
                 self._vmops._block_dev_man.validate_and_update_bdi)
             mock_validate_and_update_bdi.assert_called_once_with(