diff --git a/endpoints/index.py b/endpoints/index.py
index 95643a7e7..7e697b75e 100644
--- a/endpoints/index.py
+++ b/endpoints/index.py
@@ -126,7 +126,9 @@ def create_repository(namespace, repository):
     if existing.docker_image_id in new_repo_images:
       added_images.pop(existing.docker_image_id)
     else:
-      existing.repositoryimage.delete()
+      logger.debug('Deleting existing image with id: %s' %
+                   existing.docker_image_id)
+      existing.delete_instance()
 
   for image_description in added_images.values():
     image = model.create_image(image_description['id'], repo)