diff --git a/xbps-src/shutils/pkgtarget_funcs.sh.in b/xbps-src/shutils/pkgtarget_funcs.sh.in
index 1294bdea356..505e3f89a4c 100644
--- a/xbps-src/shutils/pkgtarget_funcs.sh.in
+++ b/xbps-src/shutils/pkgtarget_funcs.sh.in
@@ -52,9 +52,11 @@ install_pkg()
 	check_installed_pkg "$pkg"
 	if [ $? -eq 1 -o $? -eq 0 ]; then
 		instver="$($XBPS_PKGDB_CMD version $pkgname)"
-		if [ -n "$instver" ]; then
+		if [ -n "$instver" -a "$install_destdir_target" = "no" ]; then
 			echo "=> $pkgname-$instver already installed."
 			return 0
+		elif [ -n "$instver" -a "$install_destdir_target" = "yes" ]; then
+			echo "=> $pkgname-$instver installed, continuing for DESTDIR installation..."
 		fi
 	fi