diff --git a/src/azure-cli/azure/cli/command_modules/resource/custom.py b/src/azure-cli/azure/cli/command_modules/resource/custom.py
index f0e427a702f..5dbd86327d0 100644
--- a/src/azure-cli/azure/cli/command_modules/resource/custom.py
+++ b/src/azure-cli/azure/cli/command_modules/resource/custom.py
@@ -3775,6 +3775,7 @@ def format_bicep_file(cmd, file, stdout=None, outdir=None, outfile=None, newline
 
 
 def publish_bicep_file(cmd, file, target, documentationUri=None):
+    ensure_bicep_installation(cmd.cli_ctx)
     minimum_supported_version = "0.4.1008"
     if bicep_version_greater_than_or_equal_to(minimum_supported_version):
         args = ["publish", file, "--target", target]