diff --git a/gns3server/controller/__init__.py b/gns3server/controller/__init__.py
index 85f0438e..af5b9123 100644
--- a/gns3server/controller/__init__.py
+++ b/gns3server/controller/__init__.py
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ class Controller:
 
         # remove all projects deleted from disk.
         for project in self._projects.copy().values():
-            if not os.path.exists(project.path):
+            if not os.path.exists(project.path) or not os.listdir(project.path):
                 log.info(f"Project '{project.name}' doesn't exist on the disk anymore, closing...")
                 await project.close()
                 self.remove_project(project)