diff --git a/git-merge-one-file-script b/git-merge-one-file-script
index be64c07286..b791107fd7 100755
--- a/git-merge-one-file-script
+++ b/git-merge-one-file-script
@@ -21,7 +21,9 @@ case "${1:-.}${2:-.}${3:-.}" in
 # Deleted in both or deleted in one and unchanged in the other
 #
 "$1.." | "$1.$1" | "$1$1.")
-	echo "Removing $4"
+	if [ "$2" ]; then
+		echo "Removing $4"
+	fi
 	if test -f "$4"; then
 		rm -f -- "$4"
 	fi &&