diff --git a/admin/sync/exercice_hints.go b/admin/sync/exercice_hints.go
index 2988e4fc..60872635 100644
--- a/admin/sync/exercice_hints.go
+++ b/admin/sync/exercice_hints.go
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@ func SyncExerciceHints(i Importer, exercice fic.Exercice) []string {
 
 	if _, err := exercice.WipeHints(); err != nil {
 		errs = append(errs, err.Error())
+	} else if ! i.exists(path.Join(exercice.Path, "hints")) {
+		return errs
 	} else if hints, err := i.listDir(path.Join(exercice.Path, "hints")); err != nil {
 		errs = append(errs, err.Error())
 	} else {