diff --git a/backend/backend.go b/backend/backend.go
index 3708cf40ab50..efa42d4b6fa6 100644
--- a/backend/backend.go
+++ b/backend/backend.go
@@ -121,10 +121,11 @@ type Operation struct {
 
 	// The options below are more self-explanatory and affect the runtime
 	// behavior of the operation.
-	Destroy     bool
-	Targets     []string
-	Variables   map[string]interface{}
-	AutoApprove bool
+	Destroy      bool
+	Targets      []string
+	Variables    map[string]interface{}
+	AutoApprove  bool
+	DestroyForce bool
 
 	// Input/output/control options.
 	UIIn  terraform.UIInput
diff --git a/backend/local/backend_apply.go b/backend/local/backend_apply.go
index 7ebee241e6d7..3eac6dafa08d 100644
--- a/backend/local/backend_apply.go
+++ b/backend/local/backend_apply.go
@@ -98,18 +98,46 @@ func (b *Local) opApply(
 
 		trivialPlan := plan.Diff == nil || plan.Diff.Empty()
 		hasUI := op.UIOut != nil && op.UIIn != nil
-		if hasUI && !op.AutoApprove && !trivialPlan {
-			op.UIOut.Output(strings.TrimSpace(approvePlanHeader) + "\n")
-			op.UIOut.Output(format.Plan(&format.PlanOpts{
-				Plan:        plan,
-				Color:       b.Colorize(),
-				ModuleDepth: -1,
-			}))
-			desc := "Terraform will apply the plan described above.\n" +
-				"Only 'yes' will be accepted to approve."
+		if hasUI && ((op.Destroy && !op.DestroyForce) ||
+			(!op.Destroy && !op.AutoApprove && !trivialPlan)) {
+			var desc, query string
+			if op.Destroy {
+				// Default destroy message
+				desc = "Terraform will delete all your managed infrastructure.\n" +
+					"There is no undo. Only 'yes' will be accepted to confirm."
+
+				// If targets are specified, list those to user
+				if op.Targets != nil {
+					var descBuffer bytes.Buffer
+					descBuffer.WriteString("Terraform will delete the following infrastructure:\n")
+					for _, target := range op.Targets {
+						descBuffer.WriteString("\t")
+						descBuffer.WriteString(target)
+						descBuffer.WriteString("\n")
+					}
+					descBuffer.WriteString("There is no undo. Only 'yes' will be accepted to confirm")
+					desc = descBuffer.String()
+				}
+				query = "Do you really want to destroy?"
+			} else {
+				desc = "Terraform will apply the plan described above.\n" +
+					"Only 'yes' will be accepted to approve."
+				query = "Do you want to apply the plan above?"
+			}
+
+			if !trivialPlan {
+				// Display the plan of what we are going to apply/destroy.
+				op.UIOut.Output(strings.TrimSpace(approvePlanHeader) + "\n")
+				op.UIOut.Output(format.Plan(&format.PlanOpts{
+					Plan:        plan,
+					Color:       b.Colorize(),
+					ModuleDepth: -1,
+				}))
+			}
+
 			v, err := op.UIIn.Input(&terraform.InputOpts{
 				Id:          "approve",
-				Query:       "Do you want to apply the plan above?",
+				Query:       query,
 				Description: desc,
 			})
 			if err != nil {
@@ -117,7 +145,11 @@ func (b *Local) opApply(
 				return
 			}
 			if v != "yes" {
-				runningOp.Err = errors.New("Apply cancelled.")
+				if op.Destroy {
+					runningOp.Err = errors.New("Destroy cancelled.")
+				} else {
+					runningOp.Err = errors.New("Apply cancelled.")
+				}
 				return
 			}
 		}
diff --git a/command/apply.go b/command/apply.go
index d4fea85f8004..9cd93ef6fc24 100644
--- a/command/apply.go
+++ b/command/apply.go
@@ -155,41 +155,6 @@ func (c *ApplyCommand) Run(args []string) int {
 		return 1
 	}
 
-	// If we're not forcing and we're destroying, verify with the
-	// user at this point.
-	if !destroyForce && c.Destroy {
-		// Default destroy message
-		desc := "Terraform will delete all your managed infrastructure.\n" +
-			"There is no undo. Only 'yes' will be accepted to confirm."
-
-		// If targets are specified, list those to user
-		if c.Meta.targets != nil {
-			var descBuffer bytes.Buffer
-			descBuffer.WriteString("Terraform will delete the following infrastructure:\n")
-			for _, target := range c.Meta.targets {
-				descBuffer.WriteString("\t")
-				descBuffer.WriteString(target)
-				descBuffer.WriteString("\n")
-			}
-			descBuffer.WriteString("There is no undo. Only 'yes' will be accepted to confirm")
-			desc = descBuffer.String()
-		}
-
-		v, err := c.UIInput().Input(&terraform.InputOpts{
-			Id:          "destroy",
-			Query:       "Do you really want to destroy?",
-			Description: desc,
-		})
-		if err != nil {
-			c.Ui.Error(fmt.Sprintf("Error asking for confirmation: %s", err))
-			return 1
-		}
-		if v != "yes" {
-			c.Ui.Output("Destroy cancelled.")
-			return 1
-		}
-	}
-
 	// Build the operation
 	opReq := c.Operation()
 	opReq.Destroy = c.Destroy
@@ -198,6 +163,7 @@ func (c *ApplyCommand) Run(args []string) int {
 	opReq.PlanRefresh = refresh
 	opReq.Type = backend.OperationTypeApply
 	opReq.AutoApprove = autoApprove
+	opReq.DestroyForce = destroyForce
 
 	// Perform the operation
 	ctx, ctxCancel := context.WithCancel(context.Background())