diff --git a/lib/puppet/resource_api.rb b/lib/puppet/resource_api.rb
index 4bbce058..ee195ee9 100644
--- a/lib/puppet/resource_api.rb
+++ b/lib/puppet/resource_api.rb
@@ -203,6 +203,11 @@ def insync?(is)
 
             define_method(:should=) do |value|
               @shouldorig = value
+
+              if name == :ensure
+                value = value.to_s
+              end
+
               # Puppet requires the @should value to always be stored as an array. We do not use this
               # for anything else
               # @see Puppet::Property.should=(value)
diff --git a/spec/integration/resource_api_spec.rb b/spec/integration/resource_api_spec.rb
index 1933fec3..2b082634 100644
--- a/spec/integration/resource_api_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/integration/resource_api_spec.rb
@@ -206,6 +206,10 @@ def get(_context)
         end
       end
 
+      it('ensure is reported as a symbol') { expect(instance[:ensure]).to be_a Symbol }
+      it('can set ensure to :present') { expect { instance[:ensure] = :present }.not_to raise_error }
+      it('can set ensure to :absent') { expect { instance[:ensure] = :absent }.not_to raise_error }
+
       context 'when updating encounters an error' do
         let(:setter) do
           proc do |context, _changes|