diff --git a/lib/dns/rbtdb.c b/lib/dns/rbtdb.c
index 8da289a253..b4eef9a731 100644
--- a/lib/dns/rbtdb.c
+++ b/lib/dns/rbtdb.c
@@ -3455,7 +3455,7 @@ subtractrdataset(dns_db_t *db, dns_dbnode_t *node, dns_dbversion_t *version,
 				goto unlock;
 			}
 			newheader->ttl = 0;
-			newheader->type = rdataset->type;
+			newheader->type = topheader->type;
 			newheader->attributes = RDATASET_ATTR_NONEXISTENT;
 			newheader->trust = 0;
 			newheader->serial = rbtversion->serial;