diff --git a/conda_libmamba_solver/state.py b/conda_libmamba_solver/state.py
index dd44ed22..9bb1cb3a 100644
--- a/conda_libmamba_solver/state.py
+++ b/conda_libmamba_solver/state.py
@@ -544,21 +544,28 @@ def early_exit(self) -> Dict[str, PackageRecord]:
         """
         sis = self.solver_input_state
         if sis.is_removing:
-            not_installed = [
-                spec for name, spec in sis.requested.items() if name not in sis.installed
-            ]
+            # Make sure that requested packages to be removed match
+            # an installed record. Otherwise, raise an error.
+            # When 'remove --force' is set, remove the package without solving.
+            if sis.force_remove:
+                force_remove_solution = self.current_solution
+            not_installed = []
+            for name, spec in sis.requested.items():
+                for record in sis.installed.values():
+                    if spec.match(record):
+                        if sis.force_remove:
+                            force_remove_solution.remove(record)
+                        break
+                else:
+                    not_installed.append(spec)
+
             if not_installed:
                 exc = PackagesNotFoundError(not_installed)
                 exc.allow_retry = False
                 raise exc
 
             if sis.force_remove:
-                for name, spec in sis.requested.items():
-                    for record in sis.installed.values():
-                        if spec.match(record):
-                            self.records.pop(name)
-                            break
-                return self.current_solution
+                return force_remove_solution
 
         if sis.update_modifier.SPECS_SATISFIED_SKIP_SOLVE and not sis.is_removing:
             for name, spec in sis.requested.items():
diff --git a/news/435-remove-wildcard b/news/435-remove-wildcard
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..289a11f8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/news/435-remove-wildcard
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+### Enhancements
+
+* <news item>
+
+### Bug fixes
+
+* Allow wildcards in package names for `conda remove` (e.g. `conda remove "python-*"`). (#434 via #435)
+
+### Deprecations
+
+* <news item>
+
+### Docs
+
+* <news item>
+
+### Other
+
+* <news item>
diff --git a/tests/test_solvers.py b/tests/test_solvers.py
index 5539524d..9d7a0a95 100644
--- a/tests/test_solvers.py
+++ b/tests/test_solvers.py
@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@
 from conda.common.compat import on_linux, on_win
 from conda.common.io import env_var
 from conda.core.prefix_data import PrefixData, get_python_version_for_prefix
-from conda.exceptions import DryRunExit
 from conda.testing.integration import (
     Commands,
     make_temp_env,
@@ -26,7 +25,6 @@
 
 from conda_libmamba_solver import LibMambaSolver
 from conda_libmamba_solver.exceptions import LibMambaUnsatisfiableError
-from conda_libmamba_solver.mamba_utils import mamba_version
 
 from .utils import conda_subprocess