diff --git a/cli/internal/new.go b/cli/internal/new.go
index 3d672524..ce3b714f 100644
--- a/cli/internal/new.go
+++ b/cli/internal/new.go
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ func ensureServerFlag() error {
 
 // NewAction is the new app creation logic
 func NewAction(c *cli.Context) error {
-	recipe := ValidateRecipeWithPrompt(c)
+	recipe := ValidateRecipeWithPrompt(c, false)
 
 	if err := recipePkg.EnsureUpToDate(recipe.Name); err != nil {
 		logrus.Fatal(err)
diff --git a/cli/internal/validate.go b/cli/internal/validate.go
index 1c87904b..56af1375 100644
--- a/cli/internal/validate.go
+++ b/cli/internal/validate.go
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ func ValidateRecipe(c *cli.Context) recipe.Recipe {
 
 // ValidateRecipeWithPrompt ensures a recipe argument is present before
 // validating, asking for input if required.
-func ValidateRecipeWithPrompt(c *cli.Context) recipe.Recipe {
+func ValidateRecipeWithPrompt(c *cli.Context, ensureLatest bool) recipe.Recipe {
 	recipeName := c.Args().First()
 
 	if recipeName == "" && !NoInput {
@@ -94,6 +94,12 @@ func ValidateRecipeWithPrompt(c *cli.Context) recipe.Recipe {
 		ShowSubcommandHelpAndError(c, errors.New("no recipe name provided"))
 	}
 
+	if ensureLatest {
+		if err := recipe.EnsureLatest(recipeName); err != nil {
+			logrus.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+
 	chosenRecipe, err := recipe.Get(recipeName)
 	if err != nil {
 		logrus.Fatal(err)
diff --git a/cli/recipe/release.go b/cli/recipe/release.go
index 727281e8..05481f2e 100644
--- a/cli/recipe/release.go
+++ b/cli/recipe/release.go
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ your SSH keys configured on your account.
 	Before:       internal.SubCommandBefore,
 	BashComplete: autocomplete.RecipeNameComplete,
 	Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
-		recipe := internal.ValidateRecipeWithPrompt(c)
+		recipe := internal.ValidateRecipeWithPrompt(c, false)
 
 		imagesTmp, err := getImageVersions(recipe)
 		if err != nil {
diff --git a/cli/recipe/sync.go b/cli/recipe/sync.go
index f6cedb07..74d67c56 100644
--- a/cli/recipe/sync.go
+++ b/cli/recipe/sync.go
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ auto-generate it for you. The <recipe> configuration will be updated on the
 local file system.
 `,
 	Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
-		recipe := internal.ValidateRecipeWithPrompt(c)
+		recipe := internal.ValidateRecipeWithPrompt(c, false)
 
 		mainApp, err := internal.GetMainAppImage(recipe)
 		if err != nil {
diff --git a/cli/recipe/upgrade.go b/cli/recipe/upgrade.go
index d2678fb4..d3be2206 100644
--- a/cli/recipe/upgrade.go
+++ b/cli/recipe/upgrade.go
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ You may invoke this command in "wizard" mode and be prompted for input:
 	},
 	Before: internal.SubCommandBefore,
 	Action: func(c *cli.Context) error {
-		recipe := internal.ValidateRecipeWithPrompt(c)
+		recipe := internal.ValidateRecipeWithPrompt(c, true)
 
 		bumpType := btoi(internal.Major)*4 + btoi(internal.Minor)*2 + btoi(internal.Patch)
 		if bumpType != 0 {