diff --git a/src/config/mod.rs b/src/config/mod.rs
index d5381f499..f895795fc 100644
--- a/src/config/mod.rs
+++ b/src/config/mod.rs
@@ -133,7 +133,9 @@ impl Config {
 
     pub fn ensure_installed(&self) -> Result<()> {
         for rtv in self.ts.list_current_versions() {
-            if rtv.plugin.is_installed() {
+            eprintln!("Ensuring {} is installed {}", rtv.plugin.name , rtv.version);
+            let source = self.ts.get_source_for_plugin(&rtv.plugin.name);
+            if rtv.plugin.is_installed() || matches!(source, Some(PluginSource::Argument(_))) {
                 rtv.ensure_installed(self)?;
             }
         }
diff --git a/src/runtimes/mod.rs b/src/runtimes/mod.rs
index a2b5419b7..43f2ab9bb 100644
--- a/src/runtimes/mod.rs
+++ b/src/runtimes/mod.rs
@@ -135,6 +135,9 @@ impl RuntimeVersion {
         if self.is_installed() || self.version == "system" {
             return Ok(true);
         }
+        if !self.plugin.ensure_installed(&config.settings)? {
+            return Ok(false);
+        }
         match config.settings.missing_runtime_behavior {
             MissingRuntimeBehavior::AutoInstall => {
                 self.install(InstallType::Version, config)?;