diff --git a/core/management/commands/remove_orphan_works.py b/core/management/commands/remove_orphan_works.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ce1adbf1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/management/commands/remove_orphan_works.py
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+# no, not that kind of orphan works. removes works with no connected identifiers.
+
+from django.core.management.base import BaseCommand
+
+from regluit.core import models
+
+class Command(BaseCommand):
+    help = "removes works with no connected identifiers"
+
+    def handle(self,  **options):
+        numworks=0
+        deleted=0
+        for work in models.Work.objects.all():
+            if work.identifiers.count()==0:
+                work.delete()
+                deleted=deleted+1
+            numworks=numworks+1
+        print "%s deleted from %s total" % (deleted, numworks)