diff --git a/scripts/eth.py b/scripts/eth.py
index 7355bcb..0d1be3b 100644
--- a/scripts/eth.py
+++ b/scripts/eth.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import uuid
 import sys
 import tempfile
 import stat
+import shutil
 
 # external imports
 import csv
@@ -98,11 +99,11 @@ gas_oracle = OverrideGasOracle(limit=config.get('_GAS_LIMIT'), conn=rpc)
 chain_spec = ChainSpec.from_chain_str(config.get('SESSION_CHAIN_SPEC'))
 
 try:
-    os.makedirs(config.get('_OUTPUT_DIR'))
-    logg.info('output dir {} created'.format(config.get('_OUTPUT_DIR')))
-except FileExistsError:
+    os.stat(config.get('_OUTPUT_DIR'))
     sys.stderr.write('output directory {} already exists\n'.format(config.get('_OUTPUT_DIR')))
     sys.exit(1)
+except FileNotFoundError:
+    pass
 
 
 class InvalidData(Exception):
@@ -133,6 +134,7 @@ def validate(row):
 
 def main():
     tmp_out = tempfile.mkdtemp()
+    logg.debug('using tmp dir {}'.format(tmp_out))
 
     f = open(config.get('_INPUT_FILE'), 'r')
     cr = csv.reader(f)
@@ -144,18 +146,22 @@ def main():
             token = validate(row)
         except InvalidData as e:
             sys.stderr.write(str(e) + ' in line {}\n'.format(i))
+            shutil.rmtree(tmp_out)
             sys.exit(1)
         multiplier = 10 ** token.decimals
         value = int(multiplier * float(row[2]))
         (tx_hash_hex, o) = erc20.transfer(row[1], signer_address, row[0], value, tx_format=TxFormat.RLP_SIGNED)
         fname = '{}_{}'.format(i, row[0])
-        fpath = os.path.join(config.get('_OUTPUT_DIR'), fname)
+        fpath = os.path.join(tmp_out, fname)
         f = open(fpath, 'x')
         f.write(o)
         f.close()
         logg.info('tx {}: {} ({} * 10^{}) {} {} -> {}'.format(tx_hash_hex, value, row[2], token.decimals, token.symbol, signer_address, row[0]))
         i += 1
     f.close()
+    shutil.copytree(tmp_out, config.get('_OUTPUT_DIR'))
+    logg.debug('files moved from tmp dir {} to {}'.format(tmp_out, config.get('_OUTPUT_DIR')))
+    shutil.rmtree(tmp_out)
     
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':