diff --git a/nvm.sh b/nvm.sh
index 697a64d..2bef60f 100644
--- a/nvm.sh
+++ b/nvm.sh
@@ -253,6 +253,11 @@ nvm_ensure_version_installed() {
   LOCAL_VERSION="$(nvm_version "$PROVIDED_VERSION")"
   EXIT_CODE="$?"
   local NVM_VERSION_DIR
+
+  if [ "_$PROVIDED_VERSION" = "_N/A" ] && [ ! -d "$NVM_RC_VERSION" ] ; then
+    PROVIDED_VERSION="$(nvm_ensure_version_prefix "$NVM_RC_VERSION")"
+  fi
+
   if [ "_$EXIT_CODE" != "_0" ] || ! nvm_is_version_installed "$LOCAL_VERSION"; then
     VERSION="$(nvm_resolve_alias "$PROVIDED_VERSION")"
     if [ $? -eq 0 ]; then