diff --git a/app/controllers/dois_controller.rb b/app/controllers/dois_controller.rb
index 05549c63a..28b556a27 100644
--- a/app/controllers/dois_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/dois_controller.rb
@@ -285,7 +285,7 @@ def update
         @doi.assign_attributes(safe_params.slice(:client_id))
       else
         authorize! :update, @doi
-        @doi.assign_attributes(safe_params.except(:doi, :client_id))
+        @doi.assign_attributes(safe_params.except(:doi, :client_id).merge(exists: exists))
       end
     else
       doi_id = validate_doi(params[:id])