diff --git a/docs/run-first-validator.md b/docs/run-first-validator.md
index 2c72419..2652aac 100644
--- a/docs/run-first-validator.md
+++ b/docs/run-first-validator.md
@@ -251,12 +251,6 @@
 
 - Note the pubkey logged at start for comparing later with validator pubkey on chain
 
-- Remove the `priv_validator_key.json` file from TMKMS machine as it is no longer required:
-
-  ```bash
-  rm -rf <path-to-priv_validator_key.json>
-  ```
-
 ### Start node
 
 - Run the following steps in the machine where the mainnet node is setup (machine 2)
@@ -264,7 +258,7 @@
 - Remove the validator key from node deployment as it is no longer required:
 
   ```bash
-  rm $DATA_DIRECTORY/$MAINNET_DEPLOYMENT_DIR/data/laconicd-data/config/priv_validator_key.json
+  rm -rf $DATA_DIRECTORY/$MAINNET_DEPLOYMENT_DIR/data/laconicd-data/config/priv_validator_key.json
   ```
 
   NOTE: Store it safely offline in case of an emergency
diff --git a/docs/run-validator.md b/docs/run-validator.md
index fcc9d97..01f319b 100644
--- a/docs/run-validator.md
+++ b/docs/run-validator.md
@@ -178,12 +178,6 @@
 
 - Note the pubkey logged at start for comparing later with validator pubkey on chain
 
-- Remove the `priv_validator_key.json` file from TMKMS machine as it is no longer required:
-
-  ```bash
-  rm -rf <path-to-priv_validator_key.json>
-  ```
-
 ### Start Node
 
 - Run the following steps in the machine where the validator node is setup (machine 2)
diff --git a/playbooks/tmkms/run-tmkms.yml b/playbooks/tmkms/run-tmkms.yml
index c761c00..fbd3052 100644
--- a/playbooks/tmkms/run-tmkms.yml
+++ b/playbooks/tmkms/run-tmkms.yml
@@ -45,3 +45,9 @@
     - name: Start tmkms deployment
       shell: |
         laconic-so deployment --dir {{data_directory}}/{{ tmkms_deployment_dir }} start
+
+    - name: Remove input private validator key file
+      file:
+        path: "{{ priv_validator_key_file_path }}"
+        state: absent
+      when: priv_key_file.stat.exists