diff --git a/lib/orphans.c b/lib/orphans.c
index ba473409..7fe9e39a 100644
--- a/lib/orphans.c
+++ b/lib/orphans.c
@@ -50,6 +50,8 @@ find_orphan_pkg(prop_object_t obj, void *arg, bool *loop_done)
 	char *pkgname;
 	unsigned int ndep = 0, cnt = 0;
 	bool automatic = false;
+	pkg_state_t state = 0;
+	int rv = 0;
 
 	(void)arg;
 	(void)loop_done;
@@ -60,6 +62,12 @@ find_orphan_pkg(prop_object_t obj, void *arg, bool *loop_done)
 	if (!automatic)
 		return 0;
 
+	if ((rv = xbps_get_pkg_state_dictionary(obj, &state)) != 0)
+		return rv;
+
+	if (state != XBPS_PKG_STATE_INSTALLED)
+		return 0;
+
 	reqby = prop_dictionary_get(obj, "requiredby");
 	if (reqby == NULL)
 		return 0;