diff --git a/lisp/use-package/use-package.el b/lisp/use-package/use-package.el
index cdff6ce772e..ffe2dac3e46 100644
--- a/lisp/use-package/use-package.el
+++ b/lisp/use-package/use-package.el
@@ -1167,7 +1167,7 @@ this file.  Usage:
       (let ((body
              (macroexp-progn
               (use-package-process-keywords name args*
-                (and use-package-always-defer '(:deferred t))))))
+                (and use-package-always-defer (list :deferred t))))))
         (if use-package-debug
             (display-buffer
              (save-current-buffer