diff --git a/apps/opencs/model/world/record.hpp b/apps/opencs/model/world/record.hpp
index e442d0a39..c8f728e7d 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/model/world/record.hpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/model/world/record.hpp
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ namespace CSMWorld
         if (mState==State_Erased)
             throw std::logic_error ("attempt to access a deleted record");
 
-        return mState==State_BaseOnly ? mBase : mModified;
+        return mState==State_BaseOnly || mState==State_Deleted ? mBase : mModified;
     }
 
     template <typename ESXRecordT>