diff --git a/capella2polarion/connectors/polarion_worker.py b/capella2polarion/connectors/polarion_worker.py
index 352d874..4576cdf 100644
--- a/capella2polarion/connectors/polarion_worker.py
+++ b/capella2polarion/connectors/polarion_worker.py
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ def __init__(
         self.project_client = self.polarion_client.generate_project_client(
             project_id=self.polarion_params.project_id,
             delete_status=(
-                "deleted" if self.polarion_params.delete_work_items else None
+                None if self.polarion_params.delete_work_items else "deleted"
             ),
         )
         self._additional_clients: dict[str, polarion_api.ProjectClient] = {}
diff --git a/tests/test_worker.py b/tests/test_worker.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..052fa9c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_worker.py
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+# Copyright DB InfraGO AG and contributors
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+
+from unittest import mock
+
+from capella2polarion.connectors import polarion_worker
+
+
+def test_polarion_worker_non_delete_mode():
+    with mock.patch.object(
+        polarion_worker.CapellaPolarionWorker, "check_client"
+    ):
+        worker = polarion_worker.CapellaPolarionWorker(
+            polarion_worker.PolarionWorkerParams(
+                project_id="TEST",
+                url="http://127.0.0.1",
+                pat="PrivateAccessToken",
+                delete_work_items=False,
+            )
+        )
+    assert worker.project_client.work_items.delete_status == "deleted"
+
+
+def test_polarion_worker_delete_mode():
+    with mock.patch.object(
+        polarion_worker.CapellaPolarionWorker, "check_client"
+    ):
+        worker = polarion_worker.CapellaPolarionWorker(
+            polarion_worker.PolarionWorkerParams(
+                project_id="TEST",
+                url="http://127.0.0.1",
+                pat="PrivateAccessToken",
+                delete_work_items=True,
+            )
+        )
+    assert worker.project_client.work_items.delete_status is None