diff --git a/lisp/emacs-lisp/package-vc.el b/lisp/emacs-lisp/package-vc.el
index 29602c30e13..ac78c5af4e4 100644
--- a/lisp/emacs-lisp/package-vc.el
+++ b/lisp/emacs-lisp/package-vc.el
@@ -465,7 +465,7 @@ this function successfully installs all given dependencies)."
                   "Attempt to find all dependencies for PKG."
                   (cond
                    ((assq (car pkg) to-install)) ;inhibit cycles
-                   ((package-installed-p (car pkg)))
+                   ((package-installed-p (car pkg) (cadr pkg)))
                    ((let* ((pac package-archive-contents)
                            (desc (cadr (assoc (car pkg) pac))))
                       (if desc