diff --git a/src/shared/util.c b/src/shared/util.c
index 4f5cb26e3..eaf272138 100644
--- a/src/shared/util.c
+++ b/src/shared/util.c
@@ -3358,7 +3358,7 @@ int rm_rf_children_dangerous(int fd, bool only_dirs, bool honour_sticky, struct
                                 continue;
                         }
 
-                        r = rm_rf_children(subdir_fd, only_dirs, honour_sticky, root_dev);
+                        r = rm_rf_children_dangerous(subdir_fd, only_dirs, honour_sticky, root_dev);
                         if (r < 0 && ret == 0)
                                 ret = r;