diff --git a/bin/install-addons.js b/bin/install-addons.js
index bba0a9ea..23ae445a 100644
--- a/bin/install-addons.js
+++ b/bin/install-addons.js
@@ -34,7 +34,9 @@ if (fs.existsSync(addonsPath)) {
       let packageJson;
       try {
         packageJson = require(path.join(addonPath, 'package.json'));
-      } catch (e) {}
+      } catch (e) {
+        // swallow as changing branches can leave folders around
+      }
       if (packageJson
             && (
               (packageJson.devDependencies && Object.keys(packageJson.devDependencies).length)