diff --git a/src/Composer/Installer/PluginInstaller.php b/src/Composer/Installer/PluginInstaller.php
index fc9c6dcbb..04fd446a7 100644
--- a/src/Composer/Installer/PluginInstaller.php
+++ b/src/Composer/Installer/PluginInstaller.php
@@ -48,8 +48,8 @@ class PluginInstaller extends LibraryInstaller
      */
     public function prepare($type, PackageInterface $package, PackageInterface $prevPackage = null)
     {
-        // fail install process early if it going to fail due to a plugin not being allowed
-        if ($type === 'install' || $type === 'update') {
+        // fail install process early if it is going to fail due to a plugin not being allowed
+        if (($type === 'install' || $type === 'update') && !$this->getPluginManager()->arePluginsDisabled()) {
             $this->getPluginManager()->isPluginAllowed($package->getName(), false);
         }
 
diff --git a/src/Composer/Plugin/PluginManager.php b/src/Composer/Plugin/PluginManager.php
index 2ca137012..9efefe7bd 100644
--- a/src/Composer/Plugin/PluginManager.php
+++ b/src/Composer/Plugin/PluginManager.php
@@ -673,6 +673,16 @@ class PluginManager
         return $rules;
     }
 
+    /**
+     * @internal
+     *
+     * @return bool
+     */
+    public function arePluginsDisabled()
+    {
+        return $this->disablePlugins;
+    }
+
     /**
      * @internal
      *