diff --git a/annotated_logger/__init__.py b/annotated_logger/__init__.py
index be63003..7e64339 100644
--- a/annotated_logger/__init__.py
+++ b/annotated_logger/__init__.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@
 # https://test.pypi.org/project/annotated-logger/
 # The dev versions in testpypi can then be pulled in to whatever project needed
 # the new feature.
-VERSION = "1.3.5"  # pragma: no mutate
+VERSION = "1.3.6"  # pragma: no mutate
 
 T = TypeVar("T")
 P = ParamSpec("P")
diff --git a/annotated_logger/plugins.py b/annotated_logger/plugins.py
index a73ad54..bd92166 100644
--- a/annotated_logger/plugins.py
+++ b/annotated_logger/plugins.py
@@ -76,8 +76,7 @@ def filter(self, record: logging.LogRecord) -> bool:
         """Adjust the name of any fields that match a provided list if they exist."""
         for new, old in self.targets.items():
             if old in record.__dict__:
-                record.__dict__[new] = record.__dict__[old]
-                del record.__dict__[old]
+                record.__dict__[new] = record.__dict__.pop(old)
             elif self.strict:
                 raise RenamerPlugin.FieldNotPresentError(old)
         return True
diff --git a/test/test_plugins.py b/test/test_plugins.py
index 1f144e8..2628915 100644
--- a/test/test_plugins.py
+++ b/test/test_plugins.py
@@ -183,6 +183,14 @@ def test_logged_http_exception(self, annotated_logger_mock):
 
 
 class TestRenamerPlugin:
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize("strict", [False, True])
+    def test_identity_mapping_preserves_message(self, strict):
+        record = logging.makeLogRecord({"msg": "hello %s", "args": ("world",)})
+        plugin = RenamerPlugin(strict=strict, msg="msg")
+
+        assert plugin.filter(record)
+        assert record.getMessage() == "hello world"
+
     def test_joke_should_be_cheezy(self, annotated_logger_mock):
         calc = Calculator(1, 9)
         calc.divide()