diff --git a/python/pyplugin_installer/installer_data.py b/python/pyplugin_installer/installer_data.py
index e4be813f430e..d68c44e7964b 100644
--- a/python/pyplugin_installer/installer_data.py
+++ b/python/pyplugin_installer/installer_data.py
@@ -351,8 +351,9 @@ def xmlDownloaded(self):
             b.append("& ")
             content = content.replace(a, b)
             reposXML.setContent(content)
-            pluginNodes = reposXML.elementsByTagName("pyqgis_plugin")
-            if pluginNodes.size():
+            plugins_tag = reposXML.elementsByTagName("plugins")
+            if plugins_tag.size():
+                pluginNodes = reposXML.elementsByTagName("pyqgis_plugin")
                 for i in range(pluginNodes.size()):
                     fileName = pluginNodes.item(i).firstChildElement("file_name").text().strip()
                     if not fileName: