diff --git a/core/autoload/packages.el b/core/autoload/packages.el
index 89ec8a2cc..66ad20cd7 100644
--- a/core/autoload/packages.el
+++ b/core/autoload/packages.el
@@ -155,7 +155,8 @@ example; the package name can be omitted)."
   (doom-initialize-packages)
   (when (package-installed-p name)
     (user-error "%s is already installed, skipping" name))
-  (let ((inhibit-message (not doom-debug-mode))
+  (let ((plist (or plist (cdr (assq name doom-packages))))
+        (inhibit-message (not doom-debug-mode))
         (recipe (plist-get plist :recipe)))
     (cond (recipe (quelpa recipe))
           (t (package-install name))))