diff --git a/pkg/tree/api/leaf_variants.go b/pkg/tree/api/leaf_variants.go
index 0a3d84a5..8558e30b 100644
--- a/pkg/tree/api/leaf_variants.go
+++ b/pkg/tree/api/leaf_variants.go
@@ -233,9 +233,12 @@ func (lv *LeafVariants) RemainsToExist() bool {
 			defaultOrRunningExists = true
 			continue
 		}
-		// if an entry exists that does not have the delete flag set,
-		// then a remaining LeafVariant exists.
-		if !l.GetDeleteFlag() {
+		// If an entry exists that does not have the delete flag set, OR is
+		// only being removed from the intended store (orphan delete: the
+		// device value stays unchanged), then a remaining LeafVariant exists.
+		// This keeps RemainsToExist() consistent with CanDelete()/ShouldDelete()
+		// which already treat DeleteOnlyIntended as "stays on device".
+		if !l.GetDeleteFlag() || l.GetDeleteOnlyIntendedFlag() {
 			return true
 		}
 		deleteExists = true
diff --git a/pkg/tree/api/leaf_variants_test.go b/pkg/tree/api/leaf_variants_test.go
index 4e8b865d..574fc994 100644
--- a/pkg/tree/api/leaf_variants_test.go
+++ b/pkg/tree/api/leaf_variants_test.go
@@ -274,6 +274,51 @@ func TestLeafVariants_remainsToExist(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 			expected: false,
 		},
+		{
+			// Orphan delete: the only owner is being removed from the intended
+			// store but the device value stays. Running stays. The entry must
+			// be reported as remaining so that mandatory/leafref validation
+			// does not falsely fire on paths that the device will still keep.
+			name: "Orphan delete with running",
+			setup: func() *LeafVariants {
+				lv := &LeafVariants{
+					les: make(LeafVariantSlice, 0),
+				}
+				lerun := NewLeafEntry(
+					types.NewUpdate(&mockUpdateParent{}, &sdcpb.TypedValue{}, RunningValuesPrio, RunningIntentName, 0),
+					types.NewUpdateInsertFlags(),
+					nil,
+				)
+				ledel := NewLeafEntry(
+					types.NewUpdate(&mockUpdateParent{}, &sdcpb.TypedValue{}, 10, "owner1", 0),
+					types.NewUpdateInsertFlags().SetDeleteFlag().SetDeleteOnlyUpdatedFlag(),
+					nil,
+				)
+				lv.Add(lerun)
+				lv.Add(ledel)
+				return lv
+			},
+			expected: true,
+		},
+		{
+			// Same as above but no running. The intent is being orphan-deleted
+			// (only-intended), and there's no other variant to fall back to.
+			// The device still has the value, so the entry remains.
+			name: "Orphan delete without running",
+			setup: func() *LeafVariants {
+				lv := &LeafVariants{
+					les: make(LeafVariantSlice, 0),
+				}
+				ledel := NewLeafEntry(
+					types.NewUpdate(&mockUpdateParent{}, &sdcpb.TypedValue{}, 10, "owner1", 0),
+					types.NewUpdateInsertFlags().SetDeleteFlag().SetDeleteOnlyUpdatedFlag(),
+					nil,
+				)
+				lv.Add(ledel)
+				return lv
+			},
+			expected: true,
+		},
 	}
 
 	for _, tt := range tests {