diff --git a/src/calibre/db/tests/fts_api.py b/src/calibre/db/tests/fts_api.py
index 93de111f52..38ac1027cf 100644
--- a/src/calibre/db/tests/fts_api.py
+++ b/src/calibre/db/tests/fts_api.py
@@ -42,7 +42,11 @@ class FTSAPITest(BaseTest):
 
     def new_library(self):
         if os.path.exists(self.library_path):
-            shutil.rmtree(self.library_path)
+            try:
+                shutil.rmtree(self.library_path)
+            except PermissionError:
+                time.sleep(5)
+                shutil.rmtree(self.library_path)
         os.makedirs(self.library_path)
         self.create_db(self.library_path)
         ans = self.init_cache()