diff --git a/selfdrive/test/setup_device_ci.sh b/selfdrive/test/setup_device_ci.sh
index 69555b19f7..d717698514 100755
--- a/selfdrive/test/setup_device_ci.sh
+++ b/selfdrive/test/setup_device_ci.sh
@@ -18,6 +18,9 @@ if [ -z "$TEST_DIR" ]; then
   exit 1
 fi
 
+# prevent storage from filling up
+rm -rf /data/media/0/realdata/*
+
 rm -rf /data/safe_staging/ || true
 if [ -d /data/safe_staging/ ]; then
   sudo umount /data/safe_staging/merged/ || true