diff --git a/config.go b/config.go
index 7a58b94..9fd4dbc 100644
--- a/config.go
+++ b/config.go
@@ -100,9 +100,12 @@ func (all *Repos) ConfigLoad() error {
 
 func deleteProtobufFile(filename string) {
 	log.Log(WARN, "The protobuf file format has changed for", filename)
-	log.Log(WARN, "You must delete", filename)
-	log.Log(WARN, "This file will be recreated")
-	os.Exit(-1)
+	log.Log(WARN, "Deleting old file:", filename)
+	log.Log(WARN, "This file will be recreated on the next run.")
+	err := os.Remove(filename)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Log(ERROR, "failed to remove old protobuf file", "err", err)
+	}
 }
 
 func (all *Repos) sampleConfig() {