diff --git a/aider/repomap.py b/aider/repomap.py
index 8313992f2..5caa008a3 100644
--- a/aider/repomap.py
+++ b/aider/repomap.py
@@ -163,9 +163,11 @@ class RepoMap:
 
     def load_tags_cache(self):
         path = Path(self.root) / self.TAGS_CACHE_DIR
-        if not path.exists():
-            self.cache_missing = True
-        self.TAGS_CACHE = Cache(path)
+        try:
+            self.TAGS_CACHE = Cache(path)
+        except sqlite3.OperationalError:
+            self.io.tool_error(f"Unable to use tags cache, delete {path} to resolve.")
+            self.TAGS_CACHE = dict()
 
     def save_tags_cache(self):
         pass