diff --git a/src/zona/builder.py b/src/zona/builder.py
index de16bf5..12b5458 100644
--- a/src/zona/builder.py
+++ b/src/zona/builder.py
@@ -145,7 +145,13 @@ class ZonaBuilder:
             and self.layout.output.is_dir()
         ):
             logger.debug("Removing stale output...")
-            shutil.rmtree(self.layout.output)
+            # only remove output dir's children
+            # to avoid breaking live preview
+            for child in self.layout.output.iterdir():
+                if child.is_file() or child.is_symlink():
+                    child.unlink()
+                elif child.is_dir():
+                    shutil.rmtree(child)
         logger.debug("Discovering...")
         self._discover()
         logger.debug("Building...")