diff --git a/helpers/utils b/helpers/utils
index d27b5bca2..a88be38a8 100644
--- a/helpers/utils
+++ b/helpers/utils
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ YNH_APP_BASEDIR=${YNH_APP_BASEDIR:-$(realpath ..)}
 ynh_exit_properly() {
     local exit_code=$?
 
-    if [[ "${YNH_APP_ACTION}" =~ ^install$|^upgrade$|^restore$ ]]
+    if [[ "${YNH_APP_ACTION:-}" =~ ^install$|^upgrade$|^restore$ ]]
     then
         rm -rf "/var/cache/yunohost/download/"
     fi