diff --git a/python/ovs/db/idl.py b/python/ovs/db/idl.py
index 03110a76f31..250e89756ca 100644
--- a/python/ovs/db/idl.py
+++ b/python/ovs/db/idl.py
@@ -855,7 +855,7 @@ def __getattr__(self, column_name):
                     if removes is not None:
                         for key in removes:
                             if key not in (inserts or {}):
-                                del dmap[key]
+                                dmap.pop(key, None)
                     datum = data.Datum.from_python(column.type, dmap,
                                                    _row_to_uuid)
             else: