diff --git a/src/calibre/db/tests/base.py b/src/calibre/db/tests/base.py
index 7a44897600..e541b410f2 100644
--- a/src/calibre/db/tests/base.py
+++ b/src/calibre/db/tests/base.py
@@ -27,10 +27,14 @@ class BaseTest(unittest.TestCase):
         reset_tweaks_to_default()
 
     def setUp(self):
+        from calibre.utils.recycle_bin import nuke_recycle
+        nuke_recycle()
         self.library_path = self.mkdtemp()
         self.create_db(self.library_path)
 
     def tearDown(self):
+        from calibre.utils.recycle_bin import restore_recyle
+        restore_recyle()
         gc.collect(), gc.collect()
         shutil.rmtree(self.library_path)
 
diff --git a/src/calibre/utils/recycle_bin.py b/src/calibre/utils/recycle_bin.py
index d1a63e8d01..7b1b38261b 100644
--- a/src/calibre/utils/recycle_bin.py
+++ b/src/calibre/utils/recycle_bin.py
@@ -36,8 +36,16 @@ elif islinux:
 
 can_recycle = callable(recycle)
 
-def delete_file(path):
-    if callable(recycle):
+def nuke_recycle():
+    global can_recycle
+    can_recycle = False
+
+def restore_recyle():
+    global can_recycle
+    can_recycle = callable(recycle)
+
+def delete_file(path, permanent=False):
+    if not permanent and can_recycle:
         try:
             recycle(path)
             return
@@ -59,7 +67,7 @@ def delete_tree(path, permanent=False):
             time.sleep(1)
             shutil.rmtree(path)
     else:
-        if callable(recycle):
+        if can_recycle:
             try:
                 recycle(path)
                 return