diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 2b768ccd..ff07afad 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -26,7 +26,8 @@ file.
 (add-to-list 'package-archives
              '("melpa" . "https://melpa.org/packages/"))
 (package-initialize)
-(package-refresh-contents)
+(when (not package-archive-contents)
+  (package-refresh-contents))
 
 ;; Download Evil
 (unless (package-installed-p 'evil)