diff --git a/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/api/geometry/remove_representation.py b/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/api/geometry/remove_representation.py
index 66b374ca6d..0618b407ec 100644
--- a/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/api/geometry/remove_representation.py
+++ b/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/api/geometry/remove_representation.py
@@ -39,7 +39,8 @@ def remove_representation(
     """
     is_ifc2x3 = file.schema == "IFC2X3"
     styled_items = set()
-    presentation_layer_assignments = set()
+    presentation_layer_assignments_items: set[ifcopenshell.entity_instance] = set()
+    presentation_layer_assignments_reps: set[ifcopenshell.entity_instance] = set()
     textures = set()
     colours = set()
     named_profiles = set()
@@ -48,13 +49,13 @@ def remove_representation(
             [styled_items.add(s) for s in subelement.StyledByItem or []]
             # IFC2X3 is using LayerAssignments
             for s in subelement.LayerAssignment if not is_ifc2x3 else subelement.LayerAssignments:
-                presentation_layer_assignments.add(s)
+                presentation_layer_assignments_items.add(s)
             # IfcTessellatedFaceSet inverses
             [textures.add(t) for t in getattr(subelement, "HasTextures", []) or []]
             [colours.add(t) for t in getattr(subelement, "HasColours", []) or []]
         elif subelement.is_a("IfcRepresentation"):
             for layer in subelement.LayerAssignments:
-                presentation_layer_assignments.add(layer)
+                presentation_layer_assignments_reps.add(layer)
         elif subelement.is_a("IfcProfileDef") and subelement.ProfileName:
             named_profiles.add(subelement)
 
@@ -62,11 +63,16 @@ def remove_representation(
     if should_keep_named_profiles:
         do_not_delete += named_profiles
 
+    # Order matters - layer assignments may reference representation directly.
+    also_consider = list(presentation_layer_assignments_reps)
+    also_consider.extend(presentation_layer_assignments_items - presentation_layer_assignments_reps)
+    also_consider.extend(styled_items)
+    also_consider.extend(textures)
     ifcopenshell.util.element.remove_deep2(
         file,
         representation,
-        also_consider=list(styled_items | presentation_layer_assignments | colours),
-        do_not_delete=do_not_delete,
+        also_consider=also_consider,
+        do_not_delete=set(do_not_delete),
     )
 
     for texture in textures:
@@ -79,6 +85,7 @@ def remove_representation(
         item = element.Item
         if not item or item in to_delete:
             file.remove(element)
+    presentation_layer_assignments = presentation_layer_assignments_reps | presentation_layer_assignments_items
     for element in presentation_layer_assignments:
         if all(item in to_delete for item in element.AssignedItems):
             file.remove(element)
diff --git a/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/util/element.py b/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/util/element.py
index 5e011b525f..fd86a09158 100644
--- a/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/util/element.py
+++ b/src/ifcopenshell-python/ifcopenshell/util/element.py
@@ -1434,7 +1434,7 @@ def remove_deep2(
     ifc_file: ifcopenshell.file,
     element: ifcopenshell.entity_instance,
     also_consider: list[ifcopenshell.entity_instance] = [],
-    do_not_delete: list[ifcopenshell.entity_instance] = [],
+    do_not_delete: set[ifcopenshell.entity_instance] = set(),
 ) -> None:
     """Recursively purges a subgraph safely, starting at an element
 
@@ -1462,6 +1462,8 @@ def remove_deep2(
 
     :param ifc_file: The IFC file object
     :param also_consider: elements to also consider as a part of a subgraph
+        Order could matter for perfomance - elements that reference `element`
+        directly should go first for the better performance.
     :param do_not_delete: elements to protect from deletion
     :param element: The starting element that defines the subgraph
     """