diff --git modules/node/content_types.inc modules/node/content_types.inc
index 03d199d..cd5c209 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) {
+      $has_nodes = (bool) db_query_range("SELECT 1 FROM {node} WHERE type = :type", 0, 1, array(':type' => $type->type))->fetchField();
+      if ($type->custom && !$has_nodes) {
         $row[] = array('data' => l(t('delete'), 'admin/structure/types/manage/' . $type_url_str . '/delete'));
       }
       else {