diff --git a/octodns/provider/digitalocean.py b/octodns/provider/digitalocean.py
index c68e7d6..b1df187 100644
--- a/octodns/provider/digitalocean.py
+++ b/octodns/provider/digitalocean.py
@@ -232,8 +232,10 @@ class DigitalOceanProvider(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_digitalocean.py b/tests/test_octodns_provider_digitalocean.py
index 5fb47c5..ddc6bc2 100644
--- a/tests/test_octodns_provider_digitalocean.py
+++ b/tests/test_octodns_provider_digitalocean.py
@@ -165,6 +165,7 @@ class TestDigitalOceanProvider(TestCase):
         n = len(self.expected.records) - 7
         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
@@ -225,6 +226,7 @@ class TestDigitalOceanProvider(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 delete for the 2 parts of the other