diff --git a/py/apigen/apigen.py b/py/apigen/apigen.py
index af421e88d..69777b8e0 100644
--- a/py/apigen/apigen.py
+++ b/py/apigen/apigen.py
@@ -41,8 +41,7 @@ def build(pkgdir, dsa, capture):
     # output dir
     from py.__.conftest import option
     targetdir = get_apigenpath()
-    if not targetdir.check(dir=True):
-        targetdir.ensure(dir=True)
+    targetdir.ensure(dir=True)
 
     # find out what to build
     all_names = dsa._get_names(filter=lambda x, y: True)
diff --git a/py/doc/confrest.py b/py/doc/confrest.py
index b3d29ad4e..8631ac8ce 100644
--- a/py/doc/confrest.py
+++ b/py/doc/confrest.py
@@ -135,8 +135,7 @@ class Project:
         stylesheet = self.stylesheet
         if isinstance(self.stylesheet, py.path.local):
             if not docpath.join(stylesheet.basename).check():
-                if not docpath.check(dir=True):
-                    docpath.ensure(dir=True)
+                docpath.ensure(dir=True)
                 stylesheet.copy(docpath)
             stylesheet = relpath(outputpath.strpath,
                                  docpath.join(stylesheet.basename).strpath)