diff --git a/s3tests/functional/test_s3.py b/s3tests/functional/test_s3.py
index 44db1f1..e0aca9b 100644
--- a/s3tests/functional/test_s3.py
+++ b/s3tests/functional/test_s3.py
@@ -2628,11 +2628,15 @@ def test_bucket_create_naming_dns_dash_dot():
 @attr(resource='bucket')
 @attr(method='put')
 @attr(operation='re-create')
-@attr(assertion='idempotent success')
+@attr(assertion='fails 409')
 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)
-    # REST idempotency means this should be a nop
-    get_new_bucket(targets.main.default, bucket.name)
+    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')
 
 
 @attr(resource='bucket')