diff --git a/README.org b/README.org
index 367bc6c..be040d0 100644
--- a/README.org
+++ b/README.org
@@ -19,6 +19,15 @@ Configure package archives and initialise.
     :config
     (add-to-list 'package-archives '("melpa-stable" . "https://stable.melpa.org/packages/"))
     (package-initialize))
+
+  (defun my/package-ensure-installed ()
+    "Ensure packages in `package-selected-packages' are installed."
+    (interactive)
+    (require 'package)
+    (package-refresh-contents)
+    (package-install-selected-packages t)
+    (package-autoremove)
+    (package-upgrade-all nil))
 #+end_src
 ** Defaults
 Set some useful defaults. Some of these should be moved to relevant
diff --git a/install.el b/install.el
index 5a14034..a2c345d 100644
--- a/install.el
+++ b/install.el
@@ -3,8 +3,6 @@
 ;;; Code:
 ;; Configure packages archives with priority
 (load-file (locate-user-emacs-file "init.el"))
-(package-refresh-contents)
-(package-install-selected-packages t)
-(package-autoremove)
+(my/package-ensure-installed)
 (provide 'install)
 ;;; install.el ends here