diff --git a/cdist/conf/type/__file/gencode-remote b/cdist/conf/type/__file/gencode-remote
index 2675b03a..f7a528fd 100755
--- a/cdist/conf/type/__file/gencode-remote
+++ b/cdist/conf/type/__file/gencode-remote
@@ -95,6 +95,10 @@ case "$state_should" in
         fi
     ;;
 
+    pre-exists)
+        :
+        ;;
+
     *)
         echo "Unknown state: $state_should" >&2
         exit 1