diff --git a/libraries/helpers.rb b/libraries/helpers.rb
index ad96fee6..46e93817 100644
--- a/libraries/helpers.rb
+++ b/libraries/helpers.rb
@@ -256,14 +256,6 @@ def db_init
       mysql_install_db_cmd
     end
 
-    def db_initialized?
-      if v80plus
-        ::File.exist? "#{data_dir}/mysql.ibd"
-      else
-        ::File.exist? "#{data_dir}/mysql/user.frm"
-      end
-    end
-
     def mysql_install_db_bin
       return "#{base_dir}/scripts/mysql_install_db" if platform_family?('omnios')
       return "#{prefix_dir}/bin/mysql_install_db" if platform_family?('smartos')
diff --git a/libraries/mysql_service_base.rb b/libraries/mysql_service_base.rb
index 5e1fc8a5..87eab732 100644
--- a/libraries/mysql_service_base.rb
+++ b/libraries/mysql_service_base.rb
@@ -91,8 +91,7 @@ def initialize_database
         bash "#{new_resource.name} initial records" do
           code init_records_script
           umask '022'
-          returns [0, 1, 2] # facepalm
-          not_if { db_initialized? }
+          not_if { ::File.exist?("#{new_resource.pid_file}") }
           action :run
         end
       end