diff --git a/packaging/language/npm.py b/packaging/language/npm.py
index d804efff331..a52b7599d80 100644
--- a/packaging/language/npm.py
+++ b/packaging/language/npm.py
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@ def main():
         outdated = npm.list_outdated()
         if len(missing) or len(outdated):
             changed = True
-            npm.install()
+            npm.update()
     else: #absent
         installed, missing = npm.list()
         if name in installed: