diff --git a/include/xbps.h.in b/include/xbps.h.in
index 5e7fb31c..90d7ef40 100644
--- a/include/xbps.h.in
+++ b/include/xbps.h.in
@@ -1635,7 +1635,8 @@ int xbps_file_hash_check(const char *file, const char *sha256);
 bool xbps_verify_file_signature(struct xbps_repo *repo, const char *fname);
 
 /**
- * Checks if a package is currently installed by matching \a pkg.
+ * Checks if a package is currently installed in pkgdb by matching \a pkg.
+ * To be installed, the pkg must be in "installed" or "unpacked" state.
  *
  * @param[in] xhp The pointer to an xbps_handle struct.
  * @param[in] pkg Package name, version pattern or exact pkg to match.
diff --git a/lib/util.c b/lib/util.c
index d10bcee4..a34b7069 100644
--- a/lib/util.c
+++ b/lib/util.c
@@ -79,10 +79,10 @@ xbps_pkg_is_installed(struct xbps_handle *xhp, const char *pkg)
 	 */
 	if (xbps_pkg_state_dictionary(dict, &state) != 0)
 		return -1; /* error */
-	if (state != XBPS_PKG_STATE_INSTALLED)
-		return 0; /* not fully installed */
+	if (state == XBPS_PKG_STATE_INSTALLED || state == XBPS_PKG_STATE_UNPACKED)
+		return 1;
 
-	return 1;
+	return 0; /* not fully installed */
 }
 
 const char *