diff --git a/backend/model/spreadsheet_bulk_updater.rb b/backend/model/spreadsheet_bulk_updater.rb
index 4d0f7a2..6a06682 100644
--- a/backend/model/spreadsheet_bulk_updater.rb
+++ b/backend/model/spreadsheet_bulk_updater.rb
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ def process_row(row, ao, ao_json, column_by_path)
       record_changed = apply_instance_updates(row, ao_json, instance_updates_by_index) ||  record_changed
 
       if SpreadsheetBulkUpdater.apply_deletes?
-        record_changed ||= delete_empty_notes(ao_json)
+        record_changed = delete_empty_notes(ao_json) || record_changed
       end
 
       # Apply changes to the Archival Object!