diff --git a/frigate/record.py b/frigate/record.py
index f7ecb2032..a6be58bdc 100644
--- a/frigate/record.py
+++ b/frigate/record.py
@@ -22,11 +22,14 @@ def remove_empty_directories(directory):
   # list all directories recursively and sort them by path,
   # longest first
   paths = sorted(
-      [x[0] for x in os.walk('/media/frigate/recordings/')],
+      [x[0] for x in os.walk(RECORD_DIR)],
       key=lambda p: len(str(p)),
       reverse=True,
   )
   for path in paths:
+      # don't delete the parent
+      if path == RECORD_DIR:
+          continue
       if len(os.listdir(path)) == 0:
           os.rmdir(path)