diff --git a/Command/Import.hs b/Command/Import.hs
index 261bd7b8ef..58e4db38ae 100644
--- a/Command/Import.hs
+++ b/Command/Import.hs
@@ -17,6 +17,9 @@ import Remote
 import Types.KeySource
 import Types.Key
 import Annex.CheckIgnore
+import Annex.NumCopies
+import Types.TrustLevel
+import Logs.Trust
 
 cmd :: [Command]
 cmd = [withOptions opts $ notBareRepo $ command "import" paramPaths seek
@@ -76,8 +79,14 @@ start mode (srcfile, destfile) =
   where
 	deletedup k = do
 		showNote $ "duplicate of " ++ key2file k
-		liftIO $ removeFile srcfile
-		next $ return True
+		ifM (verifiedExisting k destfile)
+			( do
+				liftIO $ removeFile srcfile
+				next $ return True
+			, do
+				warning "could not verify that the content is still present in the annex; not removing from the import location"
+				stop
+			)
 	importfile = do
 		ignored <- not <$> Annex.getState Annex.force <&&> checkIgnored destfile
 		if ignored
@@ -120,3 +129,14 @@ start mode (srcfile, destfile) =
 		CleanDuplicates -> checkdup (Just deletedup) Nothing
 		SkipDuplicates -> checkdup Nothing (Just importfile)
 		_ -> return (Just importfile)
+
+verifiedExisting :: Key -> FilePath -> Annex Bool
+verifiedExisting key destfile = do
+	-- Look up the numcopies setting for the file that it would be
+	-- imported to, if it were imported.
+	need <- getFileNumCopies destfile
+
+	(remotes, trusteduuids) <- knownCopies key
+	untrusteduuids <- trustGet UnTrusted
+	let tocheck = Remote.remotesWithoutUUID remotes (trusteduuids++untrusteduuids)
+	verifyEnoughCopies [] key need trusteduuids [] tocheck
diff --git a/debian/changelog b/debian/changelog
index 2db52813e8..ec53afd4f8 100644
--- a/debian/changelog
+++ b/debian/changelog
@@ -18,6 +18,9 @@ git-annex (5.20150421) UNRELEASED; urgency=medium
   * Improve integration with KDE's file manager to work with dolphin
     version 14.12.3 while still being compatable with 4.14.2.
     Thanks, silvio.
+  * import: Before removing a duplicate file in --deduplicate or
+    --clean-duplicates mode, verify that enough copies of its content still
+    exist.
 
  -- Joey Hess <id@joeyh.name>  Tue, 21 Apr 2015 15:54:10 -0400
 
diff --git a/doc/bugs/clean-duplicates_causes_data_loss.mdwn b/doc/bugs/clean-duplicates_causes_data_loss.mdwn
index df1f7e131d..c5d545420a 100644
--- a/doc/bugs/clean-duplicates_causes_data_loss.mdwn
+++ b/doc/bugs/clean-duplicates_causes_data_loss.mdwn
@@ -25,3 +25,6 @@ g-a import --clean-duplicates ~/tmp/importme (containing a, b and c) into 'impor
 ### Please provide any additional information below.
 
 I can provide the script if it is wanted (coded in Perl, couple of non-core dependencies).
+
+> Decided to go ahead and make it check remotes like drop does, so [[done]]
+> --[[Joey]]