diff --git a/firedrake/scripts/firedrake-install b/firedrake/scripts/firedrake-install
index 30b7ed1fc6..8b0ad3c76d 100755
--- a/firedrake/scripts/firedrake-install
+++ b/firedrake/scripts/firedrake-install
@@ -1813,7 +1813,10 @@ if mode == "install":
         # Need to install petsc first in order to resolve hdf5 dependency.
         with environment(**compiler_env):
             with pipargs("--no-deps"):
-                packages.remove("petsc")
+                try:
+                    packages.remove("petsc")
+                except ValueError:
+                    log.warning("PETSc wasn't in dependencies list")
                 install("petsc/")
         os.environ["PETSC_DIR"] = petsc_dir
         os.environ["PETSC_ARCH"] = petsc_arch