diff --git a/fork_reason b/fork_reason
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..adef254
--- /dev/null
+++ b/fork_reason
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+this was an attempt to fix https://tickets.opscode.com/browse/COOK-3540
+before I realized it was hopeless'
diff --git a/providers/pip.rb b/providers/pip.rb
index e7010d2..8cfde43 100644
--- a/providers/pip.rb
+++ b/providers/pip.rb
@@ -108,14 +108,19 @@ def current_installed_version
   @current_installed_version ||= begin
     delimeter = /==/
 
-    version_check_cmd = "#{which_pip(new_resource)} freeze | grep -i '^#{new_resource.package_name}=='"
-    # incase you upgrade pip with pip!
-    if new_resource.package_name.eql?('pip')
-      delimeter = /\s/
-      version_check_cmd = "pip --version"
+    if new_resource.package_name.match(/^[^\[]+\[.+\]$/).nil?
+      version_check_cmd = "#{which_pip(new_resource)} freeze | grep -i '^#{new_resource.package_name}=='"
+
+      # in case you upgrade pip with pip!
+      if new_resource.package_name.eql?('pip')
+        delimeter = /\s/
+        version_check_cmd = "pip --version"
+      end
+      result = shell_out(version_check_cmd)
+      (result.exitstatus == 0) ? result.stdout.split(delimeter)[1].strip : nil
+    else
+      nil
     end
-    result = shell_out(version_check_cmd)
-    (result.exitstatus == 0) ? result.stdout.split(delimeter)[1].strip : nil
   end
 end