diff --git a/cli/recipe/sync.go b/cli/recipe/sync.go
index 7464035d..fd6f1af2 100644
--- a/cli/recipe/sync.go
+++ b/cli/recipe/sync.go
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ import (
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/cli/internal"
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/autocomplete"
 	"coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/config"
-	recipePkg "coopcloud.tech/abra/pkg/recipe"
 	"coopcloud.tech/tagcmp"
 	"github.com/AlecAivazis/survey/v2"
 	"github.com/go-git/go-git/v5"
@@ -44,10 +43,6 @@ local file system.
 	Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
 		recipe := internal.ValidateRecipeWithPrompt(c, false)
 
-		if err := recipePkg.EnsureUpToDate(recipe.Name); err != nil {
-			logrus.Fatal(err)
-		}
-
 		mainApp, err := internal.GetMainAppImage(recipe)
 		if err != nil {
 			logrus.Fatal(err)
diff --git a/cli/recipe/upgrade.go b/cli/recipe/upgrade.go
index f6fa259e..baeb0757 100644
--- a/cli/recipe/upgrade.go
+++ b/cli/recipe/upgrade.go
@@ -61,6 +61,10 @@ You may invoke this command in "wizard" mode and be prompted for input:
 	Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
 		recipe := internal.ValidateRecipeWithPrompt(c, true)
 
+		if err := recipePkg.EnsureUpToDate(recipe.Name); err != nil {
+			logrus.Fatal(err)
+		}
+
 		bumpType := btoi(internal.Major)*4 + btoi(internal.Minor)*2 + btoi(internal.Patch)
 		if bumpType != 0 {
 			// a bitwise check if the number is a power of 2