diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 44b5e73b..a6833a3e 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
   "dependencies": {
     "@oclif/color": "^0.x",
     "@oclif/command": "^1.5.12",
+    "@oclif/errors": "^1.2.2",
     "chalk": "^2.4.2",
     "cli-ux": "^5.2.1",
     "debug": "^4.1.0",
@@ -21,7 +22,6 @@
   "devDependencies": {
     "@oclif/config": "^1.12.11",
     "@oclif/dev-cli": "^1.21.3",
-    "@oclif/errors": "^1.2.2",
     "@oclif/plugin-help": "^3.1.0",
     "@oclif/test": "^1.2.4",
     "@types/chai": "^4.1.7",
diff --git a/src/plugins.ts b/src/plugins.ts
index a9393ab6..e8273971 100644
--- a/src/plugins.ts
+++ b/src/plugins.ts
@@ -84,6 +84,15 @@ export default class Plugins {
       return plugin
     } catch (error) {
       await this.uninstall(name).catch(error => this.debug(error))
+
+      if (String(error).includes('EACCES')) {
+        throw new CLIError(error, {
+          suggestions: [
+            `Plugin failed to install because of a permissions error.\nDoes your current user own the directory ${this.config.dataDir}?`,
+          ],
+        })
+      }
+
       throw error
     }
   }