diff --git a/.config/nvim/lua/loadplugins.lua b/.config/nvim/lua/loadplugins.lua
index b28e5e5..9f25cca 100644
--- a/.config/nvim/lua/loadplugins.lua
+++ b/.config/nvim/lua/loadplugins.lua
@@ -1,5 +1,19 @@
 -- loadplugins
 
+-- bootstrap packer
+local ensure_packer = function()
+  local fn = vim.fn
+  local install_path = fn.stdpath('data')..'/site/pack/packer/start/packer.nvim'
+  if fn.empty(fn.glob(install_path)) > 0 then
+    fn.system({'git', 'clone', '--depth', '1', 'https://github.com/wbthomason/packer.nvim', install_path})
+    vim.cmd [[packadd packer.nvim]]
+    return true
+  end
+  return false
+end
+
+local packer_bootstrap = ensure_packer()
+
 -- load plugins with packer
 return require("packer").startup(function(use)
     -- automatic closing of brackets
@@ -39,7 +53,9 @@ return require("packer").startup(function(use)
     use 'norcalli/nvim-colorizer.lua'
 
     -- package manager
-    use 'wbthomason/packer.nvim'
+    if packer_bootstrap then
+        require('packer').sync()
+    end
 
     -- colorful brackets
     use 'luochen1990/rainbow'