diff --git a/field_collection.module b/field_collection.module
index fe9911c..659fb6f 100644
--- a/field_collection.module
+++ b/field_collection.module
@@ -1003,6 +1003,12 @@ function field_collection_field_widget_form(&$form, &$form_state, $field, $insta
         $field_collection_item = $field_state['entity'][$delta];
       }
       else {
+        // If we are editing an existing entity, then ensure that we get a
+        // brand new field_collection item from field_collection_field_get_entity().
+        if (empty($form_state['build_info']['args'][0]) || isset($form_state['build_info']['args'][0]->is_new)) {
+          unset($items[$delta]);
+        }
+        
         $field_collection_item = field_collection_field_get_entity($items[$delta], $field_name);
 
         // Put our entity in the form state, so FAPI callbacks can access it.