diff --git a/pillar_tool/routers/pillar.py b/pillar_tool/routers/pillar.py
index 27b1b7a..d3d5563 100644
--- a/pillar_tool/routers/pillar.py
+++ b/pillar_tool/routers/pillar.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ from uuid import uuid4
 
 from sqlalchemy.dialects import postgresql
 from sqlalchemy.dialects.postgresql import insert
-from sqlalchemy import select, delete, bindparam, and_
+from sqlalchemy import select, delete, bindparam, and_, or_
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
 from starlette.exceptions import HTTPException
 from starlette.requests import Request
@@ -184,8 +184,7 @@ def pillar_delete(req: Request, name: str, params: PillarParams):
             'message': "Either Host or Hostgroup needs to be set!"
         })
 
-    # TODO: make this delete recursive
-    delete_stmt = delete(Pillar).where(and_(Pillar.host_id == target.id, Pillar.pillar_name == name))
+    delete_stmt = delete(Pillar).where(and_(Pillar.host_id == target.id, or_(Pillar.pillar_name == name, Pillar.pillar_name.like(f"{name}:%"))))
     result = db.execute(delete_stmt)
 
     return JSONResponse(status_code=200, content={'message': 'ok'})