diff --git a/datasette/database.py b/datasette/database.py
index 9641ae32..0a32442c 100644
--- a/datasette/database.py
+++ b/datasette/database.py
@@ -920,7 +920,7 @@ class ExecuteWriteResult:
             rowcount = cursor.rowcount
         finally:
             cursor.close()
-        if description is not None and not return_all and truncated and rowcount == 0:
+        if description is not None and not return_all and truncated:
             rowcount = -1
         return cls(rowcount, lastrowid, description, rows, truncated)
 
diff --git a/tests/test_internals_database.py b/tests/test_internals_database.py
index 1df1d947..c167ac9c 100644
--- a/tests/test_internals_database.py
+++ b/tests/test_internals_database.py
@@ -576,7 +576,7 @@ async def test_execute_write_with_returning_one_more_than_default_limit(db):
         "update write_returning_one_more set id = id returning id"
     )
 
-    assert result.rowcount == 11
+    assert result.rowcount == -1
     assert result.truncated is True
     assert len(result.fetchall()) == 10
 
diff --git a/tests/test_queries.py b/tests/test_queries.py
index 7aa9883b..d6d1185b 100644
--- a/tests/test_queries.py
+++ b/tests/test_queries.py
@@ -1941,8 +1941,8 @@ async def test_execute_write_json_returning_rows_can_be_truncated():
     assert response.status_code == 200
     data = response.json()
     assert data["ok"] is True
-    assert data["message"] == "Query executed, 11 rows affected"
-    assert data["rowcount"] == 11
+    assert data["message"] == "Query executed"
+    assert data["rowcount"] == -1
     assert data["rows"] == [
         {"id": index, "name": "Dog {}!".format(index)} for index in range(1, 11)
     ]