diff --git a/plugins/python-build/bin/pyenv-install b/plugins/python-build/bin/pyenv-install
index 1c719e18..07d5555f 100755
--- a/plugins/python-build/bin/pyenv-install
+++ b/plugins/python-build/bin/pyenv-install
@@ -115,7 +115,12 @@ done
 
 unset VERSION_NAME
 
+# The first argument contains the definition to install. If the
+# argument is missing, try to install whatever local app-specific
+# version is specified by pyenv. Show usage instructions if a local
+# version is not specified.
 DEFINITION="${ARGUMENTS[0]}"
+[ -n "$DEFINITION" ] || DEFINITION="$(pyenv-local 2>/dev/null || true)"
 [ -n "$DEFINITION" ] || usage 1 >&2
 
 # Define `before_install` and `after_install` functions that allow
diff --git a/plugins/python-build/test/pyenv.bats b/plugins/python-build/test/pyenv.bats
index 76c822a4..8ed63207 100644
--- a/plugins/python-build/test/pyenv.bats
+++ b/plugins/python-build/test/pyenv.bats
@@ -23,6 +23,17 @@ stub_python_build() {
   unstub pyenv-rehash
 }
 
+@test "install pyenv local version by default" {
+  stub_python_build 'echo python-build "$1"'
+  stub pyenv-local 'echo 3.4.2'
+
+  run pyenv-install
+  assert_success "python-build 3.4.2"
+
+  unstub python-build
+  unstub pyenv-local
+}
+
 @test "list available versions" {
   stub_python_build \
     "--definitions : echo 2.6.9 2.7.9-rc1 2.7.9-rc2 3.4.2 | tr ' ' $'\\n'"