diff --git a/lib/libalpm/add.c b/lib/libalpm/add.c
index e6081074..2684e94f 100644
--- a/lib/libalpm/add.c
+++ b/lib/libalpm/add.c
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ int SYMEXPORT alpm_add_pkg(alpm_handle_t *handle, alpm_pkg_t *pkg)
 				_alpm_log(handle, ALPM_LOG_WARNING, _("%s-%s is up to date -- reinstalling\n"),
 						localpkgname, localpkgver);
 			}
-		} else if(cmp < 0) {
+		} else if(cmp < 0 && !(trans->flags & ALPM_TRANS_FLAG_DOWNLOADONLY)) {
 			/* local version is newer */
 			_alpm_log(handle, ALPM_LOG_WARNING, _("downgrading package %s (%s => %s)\n"),
 					localpkgname, localpkgver, pkgver);