diff --git a/aaa_base.post b/aaa_base.post
index 36eae5f..94ce4e8 100644
--- a/aaa_base.post
+++ b/aaa_base.post
@@ -141,8 +141,7 @@ fi
 #
 # create mtab if it does not exist
 #
-if test ! -L /etc/mtab; then
-    rm -f /etc/mtab
+if test ! -e /etc/mtab; then
     ln -sf /proc/self/mounts /etc/mtab
 fi
 #