diff --git a/jrnl/config.py b/jrnl/config.py
index a0482405..035fb34a 100644
--- a/jrnl/config.py
+++ b/jrnl/config.py
@@ -47,9 +47,14 @@ def make_yaml_valid_dict(input: list) -> dict:
     return runtime_modifications
 
 
-def save_config(config):
+def save_config(config, alt_config_path=None):
+    """Supply alt_config_path if using an alternate config through --config-file."""
     config["version"] = __version__
-    with open(get_config_path(), "w", encoding=YAML_FILE_ENCODING) as f:
+    with open(
+        alt_config_path if alt_config_path else get_config_path(),
+        "w",
+        encoding=YAML_FILE_ENCODING,
+    ) as f:
         yaml.safe_dump(
             config,
             f,
diff --git a/jrnl/install.py b/jrnl/install.py
index 1b1ba32c..b2b583cf 100644
--- a/jrnl/install.py
+++ b/jrnl/install.py
@@ -19,18 +19,20 @@ from .prompt import yesno
 from .upgrade import is_old_version
 
 
-def upgrade_config(config):
+def upgrade_config(config_data, alt_config_path=None):
     """Checks if there are keys missing in a given config dict, and if so, updates the config file accordingly.
     This essentially automatically ports jrnl installations if new config parameters are introduced in later
-    versions."""
+    versions.
+    Supply alt_config_path if using an alternate config through --config-file."""
     default_config = get_default_config()
-    missing_keys = set(default_config).difference(config)
+    missing_keys = set(default_config).difference(config_data)
     if missing_keys:
         for key in missing_keys:
-            config[key] = default_config[key]
-        save_config(config)
+            config_data[key] = default_config[key]
+        save_config(config_data, alt_config_path)
+        config_path = alt_config_path if alt_config_path else get_config_path()
         print(
-            f"[Configuration updated to newest version at {get_config_path()}]",
+            f"[Configuration updated to newest version at {config_path}]",
             file=sys.stderr,
         )
 
@@ -55,13 +57,15 @@ def find_alt_config(alt_config):
         sys.exit(1)
 
 
-def load_or_install_jrnl(alt_config):
+def load_or_install_jrnl(alt_config_path):
     """
     If jrnl is already installed, loads and returns a default config object.
     If alternate config is specified via --config-file flag, it will be used.
     Else, perform various prompts to install jrnl.
     """
-    config_path = find_alt_config(alt_config) if alt_config else find_default_config()
+    config_path = (
+        find_alt_config(alt_config_path) if alt_config_path else find_default_config()
+    )
 
     if os.path.exists(config_path):
         logging.debug("Reading configuration from file %s", config_path)
@@ -85,7 +89,7 @@ def load_or_install_jrnl(alt_config):
                 print("Exiting.", file=sys.stderr)
                 sys.exit(1)
 
-        upgrade_config(config)
+        upgrade_config(config, alt_config_path)
         verify_config_colors(config)
 
     else:
diff --git a/tests/bdd/features/config_file.feature b/tests/bdd/features/config_file.feature
index 6a52bfcf..29198b41 100644
--- a/tests/bdd/features/config_file.feature
+++ b/tests/bdd/features/config_file.feature
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ Feature: Multiple journals
         Given we use the config "multiple.yaml"
         Given we use the config "basic_onefile.yaml"
         When we run "jrnl --cf multiple.yaml this goes to default"
-        Given we use the config "basic_onefile.yaml"
         When we run "jrnl -1"
         Then the output should not contain "this goes to default"
         When we run "jrnl --cf multiple.yaml -1"