Embodiments of the present disclosure describe methods, apparatus, and system configurations for conditional pre-programming of nonvolatile memory before erasure. In one instance, the method includes receiving a request to erase information in a portion of the nonvolatile memory device, in which the portion includes a plurality of storage units, determining whether one or more storage units of the plurality of storage units included in the portion of the non-volatile memory device are programmed, pre-programming the portion of the non-volatile memory device if the one or more storage units are determined to be programmed, and erasing the pre-programmed portion of the non-volatile memory device. A number of determined programmed storage units may not exceed a predetermined value. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.