diff --git a/src/internal/m365/collection/exchange/backup.go b/src/internal/m365/collection/exchange/backup.go
index f9d7cf9eb..7764ef200 100644
--- a/src/internal/m365/collection/exchange/backup.go
+++ b/src/internal/m365/collection/exchange/backup.go
@@ -124,7 +124,6 @@ func populateCollections(
 		}
 
 		cID := ptr.Val(c.GetId())
-		delete(tombstones, cID)
 
 		var (
 			err         error
@@ -148,6 +147,8 @@ func populateCollections(
 			continue
 		}
 
+		delete(tombstones, cID)
+
 		if len(prevPathStr) > 0 {
 			if prevPath, err = pathFromPrevString(prevPathStr); err != nil {
 				logger.CtxErr(ictx, err).Error("parsing prev path")