diff --git a/packaging/os/dnf.py b/packaging/os/dnf.py
index 50c86fc4f62..56039258ed5 100644
--- a/packaging/os/dnf.py
+++ b/packaging/os/dnf.py
@@ -234,6 +234,7 @@ def _mark_package_install(module, base, pkg_spec):
 
 
 def ensure(module, base, state, names):
+    allow_erasing = False
     if names == ['*'] and state == 'latest':
         base.upgrade_all()
     else:
@@ -280,6 +281,7 @@ def ensure(module, base, state, names):
                     _mark_package_install(module, base, pkg_spec)
 
         else:
+            # state == absent
             if filenames:
                 module.fail_json(
                     msg="Cannot remove paths -- please specify package name.")
@@ -291,8 +293,11 @@ def ensure(module, base, state, names):
             for pkg_spec in pkg_specs:
                 if installed.filter(name=pkg_spec):
                     base.remove(pkg_spec)
+            # Like the dnf CLI we want to allow recursive removal of dependent
+            # packages
+            allow_erasing = True
 
-    if not base.resolve():
+    if not base.resolve(allow_erasing=allow_erasing):
         module.exit_json(msg="Nothing to do")
     else:
         if module.check_mode: