diff --git a/src/wikiq/__init__.py b/src/wikiq/__init__.py
index 153f2fa..98ef4dc 100755
--- a/src/wikiq/__init__.py
+++ b/src/wikiq/__init__.py
@@ -1248,11 +1248,32 @@ def main():
                                 pageid, revid = resume_point
                                 print(f"Resuming from last written point: pageid={pageid}, revid={revid}", file=sys.stderr)
                         else:
+                            # resume_point is None - check if file exists but is corrupt
                             if args.partition_namespaces:
                                 partition_dir = os.path.dirname(output_file)
-                                sys.exit(f"Error: --resume specified but partitioned output not found in: {partition_dir}")
+                                output_filename = os.path.basename(output_file)
+                                corrupt_files = []
+                                if os.path.isdir(partition_dir):
+                                    for d in os.listdir(partition_dir):
+                                        if d.startswith('namespace='):
+                                            filepath = os.path.join(partition_dir, d, output_filename)
+                                            if os.path.exists(filepath):
+                                                corrupt_files.append(filepath)
+                                if corrupt_files:
+                                    print("Output files exist but are corrupt, deleting and starting fresh.", file=sys.stderr)
+                                    for filepath in corrupt_files:
+                                        os.remove(filepath)
+                                    start_fresh = True
+                                else:
+                                    sys.exit(f"Error: --resume specified but partitioned output not found in: {partition_dir}")
                             else:
-                                sys.exit(f"Error: --resume specified but output file not found: {output_file}")
+                                if os.path.exists(output_file):
+                                    # File exists but is corrupt - start fresh
+                                    print(f"Output file {output_file} exists but is corrupt, starting fresh.", file=sys.stderr)
+                                    os.remove(output_file)
+                                    start_fresh = True
+                                else:
+                                    sys.exit(f"Error: --resume specified but output file not found: {output_file}")
                 else:
                     sys.exit("Error: --resume only works with parquet output (not stdout or TSV)")