diff --git a/pyangbind/lib/serialise.py b/pyangbind/lib/serialise.py
index b129afc..264d247 100644
--- a/pyangbind/lib/serialise.py
+++ b/pyangbind/lib/serialise.py
@@ -431,7 +431,8 @@ def generate_ietf_tree(obj, parent_namespace=None, flt=False, with_defaults=None
                 d[yname] = generate_ietf_tree(
                     element, parent_namespace=element._namespace, flt=flt, with_defaults=with_defaults
                 )
-                if not len(d[yname]):
+                present = getattr(element, "_cpresent", False)
+                if not len(d[yname]) and not present:
                     del d[yname]
             elif generated_by == "YANGListType":
                 d[yname] = [