diff --git a/lib/puppet/provider/mysql_database/mysql.rb b/lib/puppet/provider/mysql_database/mysql.rb
index ef95819..84f4463 100644
--- a/lib/puppet/provider/mysql_database/mysql.rb
+++ b/lib/puppet/provider/mysql_database/mysql.rb
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ Puppet::Type.type(:mysql_database).provide(:mysql, :parent => Puppet::Provider::
   end
 
   def create
-    mysql([defaults_file, '-NBe', "create database `#{@resource[:name]}` character set #{@resource[:charset]} collate #{@resource[:collate]}"].compact)
+    mysql([defaults_file, '-NBe', "create database if not exists `#{@resource[:name]}` character set #{@resource[:charset]} collate #{@resource[:collate]}"].compact)
 
     @property_hash[:ensure]  = :present
     @property_hash[:charset] = @resource[:charset]