A system and method of responding to a cache read error with a temporary cache directory column delete. A read command is received at a cache controller. In response to determining that data requested by said read command is stored in a specific data location in the cache, a read of the data is initiated. In response to determining the read of said data results in an error, a column delete indicator for an associativity class including a specific data location to temporarily prevent allocation within the associativity class of storage locations is set. A specific line delete command that marks the specific data location as deleted is issued. In response to the issuing of the specific line delete command, the column delete indicator for the associativity class, such that storage locations within the associativity class other than the specific data location can again be allocated to hold new data is set.