diff --git a/src/Composer/Command/RequireCommand.php b/src/Composer/Command/RequireCommand.php
index af16a3898..48851c28d 100644
--- a/src/Composer/Command/RequireCommand.php
+++ b/src/Composer/Command/RequireCommand.php
@@ -236,7 +236,6 @@ EOT
             ->setClassMapAuthoritative($authoritative)
             ->setApcuAutoloader($apcu)
             ->setUpdate(true)
-            ->setUpdateWhitelist(array_keys($requirements))
             ->setWhitelistTransitiveDependencies($input->getOption('update-with-dependencies'))
             ->setWhitelistAllDependencies($input->getOption('update-with-all-dependencies'))
             ->setIgnorePlatformRequirements($input->getOption('ignore-platform-reqs'))
@@ -244,6 +243,12 @@ EOT
             ->setPreferLowest($input->getOption('prefer-lowest'))
         ;
 
+        // if no lock is present, or the file is brand new, we do not do a
+        // partial update as this is not supported by the Installer
+        if (!$this->newlyCreated && $composer->getConfig()->get('lock')) {
+            $install->setUpdateWhitelist(array_keys($requirements));
+        }
+
         $status = $install->run();
         if ($status !== 0) {
             $this->revertComposerFile(false);