diff --git a/cdist/conf/type/__package_rubygem/gencode-remote b/cdist/conf/type/__package_rubygem/gencode-remote
index 6256e308..dc755ad3 100755
--- a/cdist/conf/type/__package_rubygem/gencode-remote
+++ b/cdist/conf/type/__package_rubygem/gencode-remote
@@ -27,11 +27,7 @@ else
     name="$__object_id"
 fi
 
-if [ -f "$__object/parameter/state" ]; then
-   state_should="$(cat "$__object/parameter/state")"
-else
-   state_should="present"
-fi
+state_should="$(cat "$__object/parameter/state")"
 
 if grep -q true "$__object/explorer/pkg_status"; then
     state_is="present"
diff --git a/cdist/conf/type/__package_rubygem/parameter/default/state b/cdist/conf/type/__package_rubygem/parameter/default/state
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e7f6134f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cdist/conf/type/__package_rubygem/parameter/default/state
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+present