diff --git a/nixos/modules/services/search/opensearch.nix b/nixos/modules/services/search/opensearch.nix
index ae79d5545fd7..50b3c3bc1942 100644
--- a/nixos/modules/services/search/opensearch.nix
+++ b/nixos/modules/services/search/opensearch.nix
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ in
               # Install plugins
 
               # remove plugins directory if it is empty.
-              if [ -z "$(ls -A ${cfg.dataDir}/plugins)" ]; then
+              if [[ -d ${cfg.dataDir}/plugins && -z "$(ls -A ${cfg.dataDir}/plugins)" ]]; then
                 rm -r "${cfg.dataDir}/plugins"
               fi