diff --git a/dzgui/util/symlink.py b/dzgui/util/symlink.py
index 0c847e0..59528bd 100644
--- a/dzgui/util/symlink.py
+++ b/dzgui/util/symlink.py
@@ -15,14 +15,18 @@ def rebuild_symlinks(config: Path) -> None:
     steam_path = Path(path)
 
     dayz_path = PeFile.get_nested_app_path(steam_path, APPID_DAYZ)
+    # NOTE: unlink stale symlinks
     for file in dayz_path.iterdir():
-        if file.is_symlink():
+        if file.is_symlink() and file.exists() is False:
             file.unlink()
     workshop = get_local_mod_path(steam_path)
-    for uid in get_local_mod_ids(steam_path):
-        uid = str(uid)
+    # NOTE: create symlinks for missing mods
+    for mod_id in get_local_mod_ids(steam_path):
+        uid = str(mod_id)
         md5sum = _hash(str(uid))
-        Path(dayz_path / md5sum).symlink_to(workshop / uid)
+        source = Path(dayz_path / md5sum)
+        if source.exists() is False:
+            source.symlink_to(workshop / uid)
 
 
 def clone_symlinks(config: Path) -> None:
@@ -39,6 +43,7 @@ def clone_symlinks(config: Path) -> None:
         return
 
     # TODO: test these two operations
+    # use less time intensive logic like the above
     for file in exp_path.iterdir():
         if file.is_symlink():
             file.unlink()