diff --git a/doublethink/orm.py b/doublethink/orm.py
index fa7d1a2..9a6da15 100644
--- a/doublethink/orm.py
+++ b/doublethink/orm.py
@@ -327,7 +327,7 @@ class Document(dict, object):
                             'unexpected result %s from rethinkdb query %s' % (
                                 result, query))
             if not should_insert and self._deletes:
-                query = self.rr.table(self.table).replace(
+                query = self.rr.table(self.table).get(self.pk_value).replace(
                         r.row.without(self._deletes))
                 result = query.run()
                 if result['errors']:   # primary key not found
diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index 4a14464..56a44b4 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import codecs
 
 setuptools.setup(
     name='doublethink',
-    version='0.2.0.dev87',
+    version='0.2.0.dev88',
     packages=['doublethink'],
     classifiers=[
         'Programming Language :: Python :: 2.7',