diff --git a/certbot/main.py b/certbot/main.py
index d1ed6fe2b..9d33d6059 100644
--- a/certbot/main.py
+++ b/certbot/main.py
@@ -743,8 +743,14 @@ def main(cli_args=sys.argv[1:]):
     config = configuration.NamespaceConfig(args)
     zope.component.provideUtility(config)
 
-    log.post_arg_parse_setup(config)
-    make_or_verify_needed_dirs(config)
+    try:
+        log.post_arg_parse_setup(config)
+        make_or_verify_needed_dirs(config)
+    except errors.Error:
+        # Let plugins_cmd be run as un-privileged user.
+        if config.func != plugins_cmd:
+            raise
+
     set_displayer(config)
 
     # Reporter
diff --git a/certbot/tests/main_test.py b/certbot/tests/main_test.py
index f0b055d4c..4b9e4cf67 100644
--- a/certbot/tests/main_test.py
+++ b/certbot/tests/main_test.py
@@ -545,6 +545,26 @@ class MainTest(test_util.ConfigTestCase):  # pylint: disable=too-many-public-met
         filtered = plugins.visible().ifaces()
         self.assertEqual(stdout.getvalue().strip(), str(filtered))
 
+    @mock.patch('certbot.main.plugins_disco')
+    @mock.patch('certbot.main.cli.HelpfulArgumentParser.determine_help_topics')
+    def test_plugins_no_args_unprivileged(self, _det, mock_disco):
+        ifaces = []
+        plugins = mock_disco.PluginsRegistry.find_all()
+
+        def throw_error(directory, mode, uid, strict):
+            """Raises error.Error."""
+            _, _, _, _ = directory, mode, uid, strict
+            raise errors.Error()
+
+        with mock.patch('certbot.util.set_up_core_dir') as mock_set_up_core_dir:
+            mock_set_up_core_dir.side_effect = throw_error
+
+            _, stdout, _, _ = self._call(['plugins'])
+            plugins.visible.assert_called_once_with()
+            plugins.visible().ifaces.assert_called_once_with(ifaces)
+            filtered = plugins.visible().ifaces()
+            self.assertEqual(stdout.getvalue().strip(), str(filtered))
+
     @mock.patch('certbot.main.plugins_disco')
     @mock.patch('certbot.main.cli.HelpfulArgumentParser.determine_help_topics')
     def test_plugins_init(self, _det, mock_disco):