diff --git a/src/documents/search/_schema.py b/src/documents/search/_schema.py
index 405be0761..9c1c22595 100644
--- a/src/documents/search/_schema.py
+++ b/src/documents/search/_schema.py
@@ -161,7 +161,8 @@ def open_or_rebuild_index(index_dir: Path | None = None) -> tantivy.Index:
     """
     if index_dir is None:
         index_dir = settings.INDEX_DIR
-    index_dir.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+    if not index_dir.exists():
+        return tantivy.Index(build_schema())
     if needs_rebuild(index_dir):
         wipe_index(index_dir)
         idx = tantivy.Index(build_schema(), path=str(index_dir))