diff --git a/controllers/operatorpolicy_controller.go b/controllers/operatorpolicy_controller.go
index 16a99ada..90f687a9 100644
--- a/controllers/operatorpolicy_controller.go
+++ b/controllers/operatorpolicy_controller.go
@@ -1233,8 +1233,9 @@ func (r *OperatorPolicyReconciler) musthaveInstallPlan(
 		}
 
 		matchingCSV := len(policy.Spec.Versions) == 0 // true if `spec.versions` is not specified
+		allowedVersions := append(policy.Spec.Versions, policyv1.NonEmptyString(sub.Spec.StartingCSV))
 
-		for _, acceptableCSV := range policy.Spec.Versions {
+		for _, acceptableCSV := range allowedVersions {
 			if string(acceptableCSV) == ipCSVs[0] {
 				matchingCSV = true