diff --git a/octodns/processor/arpa.py b/octodns/processor/arpa.py
index 3b98761..bd56ec9 100644
--- a/octodns/processor/arpa.py
+++ b/octodns/processor/arpa.py
@@ -51,8 +51,8 @@ class AutoArpa(BaseProcessor):
         return desired
 
     def _order_and_unique_fqdns(self, fqdns, max_auto_arpa):
-        fqdns = sorted(fqdns)
         seen = set()
+        # order the fqdns making a copy so we can reset the list below
         ordered = sorted(fqdns)
         fqdns = []
         for _, fqdn in ordered:
diff --git a/tests/test_octodns_processor_arpa.py b/tests/test_octodns_processor_arpa.py
index ccdb70f..328d05f 100644
--- a/tests/test_octodns_processor_arpa.py
+++ b/tests/test_octodns_processor_arpa.py
@@ -281,6 +281,23 @@ class TestAutoArpa(TestCase):
             aa._order_and_unique_fqdns(duplicate_values, max_auto_arpa=999),
         )
 
+        duplicate_values = [
+            (50, 'd.unit.tests.'),
+            (999, 'dup.unit.tests.'),
+            (3, 'a.unit.tests.'),
+            (1, 'dup.unit.tests.'),
+            (2, 'c.unit.tests.'),
+        ]
+        self.assertEqual(
+            [
+                'dup.unit.tests.',
+                'c.unit.tests.',
+                'a.unit.tests.',
+                'd.unit.tests.',
+            ],
+            aa._order_and_unique_fqdns(duplicate_values, max_auto_arpa=999),
+        )
+
         duplicate_values_2 = [(999, 'a.unit.tests.'), (999, 'a.unit.tests.')]
         self.assertEqual(
             ['a.unit.tests.'],