diff --git a/lumi2/usermanager.py b/lumi2/usermanager.py
index f9c7523..8e5c2ed 100644
--- a/lumi2/usermanager.py
+++ b/lumi2/usermanager.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """Views for lumi2."""
 
 from pathlib import Path
+import shutil
 from tempfile import TemporaryFile
 from json import loads, dumps, JSONDecodeError
 
@@ -25,12 +26,17 @@ bp = Blueprint('usermanager', __name__)
 
 @bp.before_app_first_request
 def _init_static_images():
+    """Purges and recreates the static images folder."""
+
+    path_to_image_cache = Path(current_app.static_folder) / "images" / "users"
+    if path_to_image_cache.is_dir():
+        shutil.rmtree(path_to_image_cache)
+    path_to_image_cache.mkdir(parents=True)
+
     conn = ldap.get_connection()
-    users = ldap.get_users(conn)
-    conn.unbind()
-    for user in users:
+    for user in ldap.get_users(conn):
         user._generate_static_images()
-    
+    conn.unbind()
 
 
 @bp.before_app_first_request
diff --git a/lumi2/usermodel.py b/lumi2/usermodel.py
index 3fa097f..53db474 100644
--- a/lumi2/usermodel.py
+++ b/lumi2/usermodel.py
@@ -388,8 +388,6 @@ class User:
         path_to_full_image = path_to_image_folder / "full.jpg"
         path_to_thumbnail = path_to_image_folder / "thumbnail.jpg"
 
-
-
         if not path_to_image_folder.is_dir():
             path_to_image_folder.mkdir(parents=True)