diff --git a/libs/angular/src/vault/components/add-edit.component.ts b/libs/angular/src/vault/components/add-edit.component.ts
index 952f2071e9..1ca2df6b73 100644
--- a/libs/angular/src/vault/components/add-edit.component.ts
+++ b/libs/angular/src/vault/components/add-edit.component.ts
@@ -713,7 +713,11 @@ export class AddEditComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
   }
 
   protected deleteCipher() {
-    const asAdmin = this.organization?.canEditAllCiphers || !this.cipher.collectionIds;
+    // cipher.collectionIds may be null or an empty array. Either is a valid indication that the item is unassigned.
+    const asAdmin =
+      this.organization?.canEditAllCiphers ||
+      !this.cipher.collectionIds ||
+      this.cipher.collectionIds.length === 0;
     return this.cipher.isDeleted
       ? this.cipherService.deleteWithServer(this.cipher.id, asAdmin)
       : this.cipherService.softDeleteWithServer(this.cipher.id, asAdmin);