diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 508192e..06a8831 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -351,7 +351,13 @@ If you'd like to add some auto installation of packages in your
 personal config use the following code:
 
 ```lisp
-(prelude-ensure-module-deps '(some-package some-other-package))
+(prelude-require-packages '(some-package some-other-package))
+```
+
+If you require just a single package you can also use:
+
+```lisp
+(prelude-require-package 'some-package)
 ```
 
 #### Disabling whitespace-mode
diff --git a/core/prelude-packages.el b/core/prelude-packages.el
index 736a508..2a2ce98 100644
--- a/core/prelude-packages.el
+++ b/core/prelude-packages.el
@@ -54,6 +54,18 @@
   "Check if all packages in `prelude-packages' are installed."
   (every #'package-installed-p prelude-packages))
 
+(defun prelude-require-package (package)
+  "Install PACKAGE unless already installed."
+  (unless (package-installed-p package)
+    (package-install package)))
+
+(defun prelude-require-packages (packages)
+  "Ensure PACKAGES are installed.
+Missing packages are installed automatically."
+  (mapc #'prelude-require-package packages))
+
+(defalias 'prelude-ensure-module-deps 'prelude-require-packages)
+
 (defun prelude-install-packages ()
   "Install all packages listed in `prelude-packages'."
   (unless (prelude-packages-installed-p)
@@ -62,8 +74,7 @@
     (package-refresh-contents)
     (message "%s" " done.")
     ;; install the missing packages
-    (mapc #'package-install
-     (remove-if #'package-installed-p prelude-packages))))
+    (prelude-require-packages prelude-packages)))
 
 (prelude-install-packages)
 
@@ -123,11 +134,6 @@ PACKAGE is installed only if not already present.  The file is opened in MODE."
        (prelude-auto-install extension package mode))))
  prelude-auto-install-alist)
 
-(defun prelude-ensure-module-deps (packages)
-  "Ensure PACKAGES are installed.
-Missing packages are installed automatically."
-  (mapc #'package-install (remove-if #'package-installed-p packages)))
-
 (provide 'prelude-packages)
 ;; Local Variables:
 ;; byte-compile-warnings: (not cl-functions)