diff --git a/R/files/r_packages_cleanup.sh b/R/files/r_packages_cleanup.sh
index e86b4f68..c506d405 100644
--- a/R/files/r_packages_cleanup.sh
+++ b/R/files/r_packages_cleanup.sh
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ for package in r-base r-base-core r-base-dev r-base-html r-cran-boot r-cran-clas
 # Remove the old r packages
 apt-get purge r-base-* r-cran-* -y --force-yes
 apt-get autoremove -y
+apt-get update
 
 # Remove the CRAN packages
 rm -fr /usr/lib/R/site-library  /usr/local/lib/R/site-library
diff --git a/R/tasks/r-installation.yml b/R/tasks/r-installation.yml
index bd74f03c..d928df9f 100644
--- a/R/tasks/r-installation.yml
+++ b/R/tasks/r-installation.yml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
   tags: [ 'r_software', 'r_pkg', 'r_pkg_hold' ]
 
 - name: Install the R base packages.
-  apt: pkg={{ item }} state={{ r_packages_main_state }} force=yes
+  apt: pkg={{ item }} state={{ r_packages_main_state }} force=yes update_cache=yes cache_valid_time=3600
   with_items: r_base_packages_list
   tags: [ 'r_software', 'r_pkg' ]