diff --git a/lib/logstash/pluginmanager/install.rb b/lib/logstash/pluginmanager/install.rb
index a1f1b8fa7..c7c1f15e7 100644
--- a/lib/logstash/pluginmanager/install.rb
+++ b/lib/logstash/pluginmanager/install.rb
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ class LogStash::PluginManager::Install < Clamp::Command
 
       puts ("removing existing plugin before installation")
       ::Gem.done_installing_hooks.clear
-      ::Gem::Uninstaller.new(gem_meta.name, {}).uninstall
+      ::Gem::Uninstaller.new(gem_meta.name, {:force => true}).uninstall
     end
 
     ::Gem.configuration.verbose = false
diff --git a/lib/logstash/pluginmanager/update.rb b/lib/logstash/pluginmanager/update.rb
index 081c09d11..4bf1c4e28 100644
--- a/lib/logstash/pluginmanager/update.rb
+++ b/lib/logstash/pluginmanager/update.rb
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ class LogStash::PluginManager::Update < Clamp::Command
 
     if LogStash::PluginManager::Util.installed?(spec.name)
       ::Gem.done_installing_hooks.clear
-      ::Gem::Uninstaller.new(gem_meta.name, {}).uninstall
+      ::Gem::Uninstaller.new(gem_meta.name, {:force => true}).uninstall
     end
 
     ::Gem.configuration.verbose = false