diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index a8869f3fea..116578438b 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -291,7 +291,9 @@ distclean: clean assetclean
 	$(MAKE) -C tools distclean
 
 venv:
-	test -d $(VENV) || python3 -m venv $(VENV)
+# Create the virtual environment if it doesn't exist.
+# Delete the virtual environment directory if creation fails.
+	test -d $(VENV) || python3 -m venv $(VENV) || { rm -rf $(VENV); false; }
 	$(PYTHON) -m pip install -U pip
 	$(PYTHON) -m pip install -U -r requirements.txt