diff --git a/lib/activerecord-import/synchronize.rb b/lib/activerecord-import/synchronize.rb
index cf97dbe..a5286d7 100644
--- a/lib/activerecord-import/synchronize.rb
+++ b/lib/activerecord-import/synchronize.rb
@@ -43,7 +43,10 @@ module ActiveRecord # :nodoc:
           instance.clear_aggregation_cache
           instance.clear_association_cache
           instance.instance_variable_set '@attributes', matched_instance.attributes
+          # Since the instance now accurately reflects the record in
+          # the database, ensure that instance.persisted? is true.
           instance.instance_variable_set '@new_record', false
+          instance.instance_variable_set '@destroyed', false
         end
       end
     end