diff --git modules/node/content_types.inc modules/node/content_types.inc
index 03d199d..fa3a508 100644
--- modules/node/content_types.inc
+++ modules/node/content_types.inc
@@ -33,7 +33,8 @@ function node_overview_types() {
       }
 
       // Set the delete column.
-      if ($type->custom) {
+      $num_nodes = db_query("SELECT COUNT(*) FROM {node} WHERE type = :type", array(':type' => $type->type))->fetchField();
+      if ($type->custom && empty($num_nodes)) {
         $row[] = array('data' => l(t('delete'), 'admin/structure/types/manage/' . $type_url_str . '/delete'));
       }
       else {