diff --git a/ckanext/harvest/harvesters/base.py b/ckanext/harvest/harvesters/base.py
index 746d7271..bd9ce42a 100644
--- a/ckanext/harvest/harvesters/base.py
+++ b/ckanext/harvest/harvesters/base.py
@@ -295,7 +295,8 @@ def _create_or_update_package(self, package_dict, harvest_object,
 
                 # Check modified date
                 if 'metadata_modified' not in package_dict or \
-                   package_dict['metadata_modified'] > existing_package_dict.get('metadata_modified'):
+                   package_dict['metadata_modified'] > existing_package_dict.get('metadata_modified') or \
+                   existing_package_dict['state'] == 'deleted':
                     log.info('Package with GUID %s exists and needs to be updated' % harvest_object.guid)
                     # Update package
                     context.update({'id': package_dict['id']})