diff --git a/octodns/provider/dnsimple.py b/octodns/provider/dnsimple.py
index 43b5b9b..304780d 100644
--- a/octodns/provider/dnsimple.py
+++ b/octodns/provider/dnsimple.py
@@ -272,8 +272,10 @@ class DnsimpleProvider(BaseProvider):
                                     source=self, lenient=lenient)
                 zone.add_record(record)
 
-        self.log.info('populate:   found %s records',
-                      len(zone.records) - before)
+        exists = zone.name in self._zone_records
+        self.log.info('populate:   found %s records, exists=%s',
+                      len(zone.records) - before, exists)
+        return exists
 
     def _params_for_multiple(self, record):
         for value in record.values:
diff --git a/tests/test_octodns_provider_dnsimple.py b/tests/test_octodns_provider_dnsimple.py
index 60dacf1..896425e 100644
--- a/tests/test_octodns_provider_dnsimple.py
+++ b/tests/test_octodns_provider_dnsimple.py
@@ -133,6 +133,7 @@ class TestDnsimpleProvider(TestCase):
         n = len(self.expected.records) - 3
         self.assertEquals(n, len(plan.changes))
         self.assertEquals(n, provider.apply(plan))
+        self.assertFalse(plan.exists)
 
         provider._client._request.assert_has_calls([
             # created the domain
@@ -186,6 +187,7 @@ class TestDnsimpleProvider(TestCase):
         }))
 
         plan = provider.plan(wanted)
+        self.assertTrue(plan.exists)
         self.assertEquals(2, len(plan.changes))
         self.assertEquals(2, provider.apply(plan))
         # recreate for update, and deletes for the 2 parts of the other