diff --git a/s3tests/functional/test_s3.py b/s3tests/functional/test_s3.py
index 3c8ff22..d243d2a 100644
--- a/s3tests/functional/test_s3.py
+++ b/s3tests/functional/test_s3.py
@@ -2791,15 +2791,11 @@ def test_bucket_create_naming_dns_dash_dot():
 @attr(resource='bucket')
 @attr(method='put')
 @attr(operation='re-create')
-@attr(assertion='fails 409')
+@attr(assertion='idempotent success')
 def test_bucket_create_exists():
-    # aws-s3 default region allows recreation of buckets
-    # but all other regions fail with BucketAlreadyOwnedByYou.
     bucket = get_new_bucket(targets.main.default)
-    e = assert_raises(boto.exception.S3CreateError, get_new_bucket, targets.main.default, bucket.name)
-    eq(e.status, 409)
-    eq(e.reason, 'Conflict')
-    eq(e.error_code, 'BucketAlreadyOwnedByYou')
+    # REST idempotency means this should be a nop
+    get_new_bucket(targets.main.default, bucket.name)
 
 
 @attr(resource='bucket')