diff --git a/octodns/provider/plan.py b/octodns/provider/plan.py
index f3416b8..9852ef5 100644
--- a/octodns/provider/plan.py
+++ b/octodns/provider/plan.py
@@ -99,9 +99,9 @@ class Plan(object):
 
         # If we have any changes of the root NS record for the zone it's a huge
         # deal and force should always be required for extra care
-        if [True for c in self.changes
-                if c.record and c.record._type == 'NS' and
-                c.record.name == '']:
+        if self.exists and [True for c in self.changes
+                            if c.record and c.record._type == 'NS' and
+                            c.record.name == '']:
             raise RootNsChange()
 
     def __repr__(self):