diff --git a/src/main/java/com/google/devtools/build/lib/rules/repository/RepositoryDelegatorFunction.java b/src/main/java/com/google/devtools/build/lib/rules/repository/RepositoryDelegatorFunction.java
index 32e49f3d934900..37f467b2cc72de 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/google/devtools/build/lib/rules/repository/RepositoryDelegatorFunction.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/google/devtools/build/lib/rules/repository/RepositoryDelegatorFunction.java
@@ -271,6 +271,11 @@ && managedDirectoriesExist(directories.getWorkspace(), managedDirectories)) {
     }
 
     if (isFetch.get()) {
+      // Fetching a repository is a long-running operation that can easily be interrupted. If it is
+      // and the marker file exists on disk, a new call of this method may treat this repository as
+      // valid even though it is in an inconsistent state. Clear the marker file and only recreate
+      // it after fetching is done to prevent this scenario.
+      DigestWriter.clearMarkerFile(directories, repositoryName);
       // Fetching enabled, go ahead.
       RepositoryDirectoryValue.Builder builder =
           fetchRepository(skyKey, repoRoot, env, digestWriter.getMarkerData(), handler, rule);