diff --git a/scripts/newrm b/scripts/newrm
index e0a3fb47..32ed6750 100755
--- a/scripts/newrm
+++ b/scripts/newrm
@@ -34,6 +34,11 @@ shift $(( $OPTIND - 1 ))
 # BEGIN MAIN SCRIPT
 # =================
 
+if [ -d .git ] ; then
+    git rm "$@"
+    exit 0
+fi
+
 if [ ! -d $archivedir  ] ; then
     if [ ! -w $HOME ] ; then
         echo "$0 failed: can't create $archivedir in $HOME " >&2