diff --git a/core/src/main/scala/org/apache/spark/util/Utils.scala b/core/src/main/scala/org/apache/spark/util/Utils.scala
index a9371c8208d13..ef11ed3e48305 100644
--- a/core/src/main/scala/org/apache/spark/util/Utils.scala
+++ b/core/src/main/scala/org/apache/spark/util/Utils.scala
@@ -277,7 +277,7 @@ private[spark] object Utils extends Logging {
         if (dir.exists() || !dir.mkdirs()) {
           dir = null
         }
-      } catch { case e: IOException => ; }
+      } catch { case e: SecurityException => dir = null; }
     }
 
     registerShutdownDeleteDir(dir)