diff --git a/nvm.sh b/nvm.sh
index 297f5ff..93146da 100644
--- a/nvm.sh
+++ b/nvm.sh
@@ -486,6 +486,11 @@ 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 "${LOCAL_VERSION}"; then
     if VERSION="$(nvm_resolve_alias "${PROVIDED_VERSION}")"; then
       nvm_err "N/A: version \"${PROVIDED_VERSION} -> ${VERSION}\" is not yet installed."