diff --git a/nixops/backends/digital_ocean.py b/nixops/backends/digital_ocean.py
index 1c18909dd..c97cba574 100644
--- a/nixops/backends/digital_ocean.py
+++ b/nixops/backends/digital_ocean.py
@@ -121,6 +121,8 @@ def create(self, defn, check, allow_reboot, allow_recreate):
         if ssh_key is None:
             raise Exception('Please specify a ssh-key resource (resources.sshKeyPairs.ssh-key = {}).')
 
+        self.set_common_state(defn)
+
         if self.droplet_id is not None:
             return