diff --git a/apt-pkg/depcache.cc b/apt-pkg/depcache.cc
index 8281949..083d189 100644
--- a/apt-pkg/depcache.cc
+++ b/apt-pkg/depcache.cc
@@ -1420,8 +1420,10 @@ bool pkgDepCache::IsInstallOkDependenciesSatisfiableByCandidates(PkgIterator con
 
 	 // the dependency is critical, but can't be installed, so discard the candidate
 	 // as the problemresolver will trip over it otherwise trying to install it (#735967)
-	 if (Pkg->CurrentVer != 0 && (PkgState[Pkg->ID].iFlags & Protected) != Protected)
+	 if (Pkg->CurrentVer != 0 && (PkgState[Pkg->ID].iFlags & Protected) != Protected) {
+            PkgState[Pkg->ID].Mode = ModeKeep;
 	    SetCandidateVersion(Pkg.CurrentVer());
+         }
 	 return false;
       }
    }