diff --git a/framework/Steps/Step.py b/framework/Steps/Step.py
index 410bd32211..b069d81718 100644
--- a/framework/Steps/Step.py
+++ b/framework/Steps/Step.py
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 
 #External Modules------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 import abc
+import os
 #External Modules End--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 #Internal Modules------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -164,7 +165,10 @@ def _handleInput(self, paramInput):
           self.raiseAnError(IOError,printString.format(self.type,self.name,self.initSeed,'re-seeding'))
     if 'sleepTime' in paramInput.parameterValues:
       self.sleepTime = paramInput.parameterValues['sleepTime']
-    self._clearRunDir = paramInput.parameterValues.get('clearRunDir', True)
+    if os.environ['RAVENinterfaceCheck'] == 'True':
+      self._clearRunDir = False
+    else:
+      self._clearRunDir = paramInput.parameterValues.get('clearRunDir', True)
     for child in paramInput.subparts:
       classType = child.parameterValues['class']
       classSubType = child.parameterValues['type']
diff --git a/tests/framework/CodeInterfaceTests/RELAP5/test_relap5_code_interface.xml b/tests/framework/CodeInterfaceTests/RELAP5/test_relap5_code_interface.xml
index 232952eac7..0d1b06166b 100644
--- a/tests/framework/CodeInterfaceTests/RELAP5/test_relap5_code_interface.xml
+++ b/tests/framework/CodeInterfaceTests/RELAP5/test_relap5_code_interface.xml
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
       <revision author="alfoa" date="2018-10-01">This is a requirement test now. Req. R-SI-1</revision>
       <revision author="alfoa" date="2019-12-05">Modified to check we can handle multiple words in the same card.</revision>
       <revision author="alfoa" date="2020-10-31">Added csv xml node in the Code block for showing how to use it.</revision>
+      <revision author="alfoa" date="2021-10-21">Removed clearRunDir flag since in case of interfaceCheck this is set to False automatically (see issue #1688)</revision>
     </revisions>
     <requirements>R-SI-1</requirements>
   </TestInfo>
@@ -115,7 +116,7 @@
   </Samplers>
 
   <Steps>
-    <MultiRun name="testDummyStep" re-seeding="1" clearRunDir="False">
+    <MultiRun name="testDummyStep" re-seeding="1">
       <Input class="Files" type="">snc01.i</Input>
       <Input class="Files" type="">tpfh2o</Input>
       <Model class="Models" type="Code">MyRELAP</Model>