diff --git a/python/lancedb/table.py b/python/lancedb/table.py
index 6684f6d7..f0c8107a 100644
--- a/python/lancedb/table.py
+++ b/python/lancedb/table.py
@@ -595,7 +595,11 @@ class LanceTable(Table):
                 raise ValueError(
                     f"Index already exists. Use replace=True to overwrite."
                 )
-            fs.delete_dir(path)
+            try:
+                fs.delete_dir(path)
+            except FileNotFoundError as e:
+                if "Cannot get information for path" in str(e):
+                    pass
 
         index = create_index(self._get_fts_index_path(), field_names)
         populate_index(index, self, field_names)
diff --git a/python/tests/test_fts.py b/python/tests/test_fts.py
index 2a61f3ca..51a6c641 100644
--- a/python/tests/test_fts.py
+++ b/python/tests/test_fts.py
@@ -95,12 +95,12 @@ def test_create_index_from_table(tmp_path, table):
         ]
     )
 
-    with pytest.raises(ValueError, match="already exists"):
-        table.create_fts_index("text")
-
     table.create_fts_index("text", replace=True)
     assert len(table.search("gorilla").limit(1).to_pandas()) == 1
 
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError, match="already exists"):
+        table.create_fts_index("text")
+
 
 def test_create_index_multiple_columns(tmp_path, table):
     table.create_fts_index(["text", "text2"])