diff --git a/hermes_cli/plugins_cmd.py b/hermes_cli/plugins_cmd.py
index 8c41b49491..1bc28fe930 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/plugins_cmd.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/plugins_cmd.py
@@ -211,6 +211,33 @@ def _scan_plugin_tree(plugin_dir: Path, identifier: str, *, force: bool, scan_de
     return result
 
 
+def _preserved_files_note(exc: PluginScanBlocked, merged: list[str]) -> str:
+    """Scan-block text for a tree that also holds user files preserved from the installed copy."""
+    preserved = set(merged)
+    findings = exc.scan_result.findings if exc.scan_result is not None else ()
+    hits = sorted({f.file for f in findings if f.file in preserved})
+    if hits:
+        note = ("These findings come from user files preserved from the installed copy: "
+                f"{', '.join(hits)}. Move or remove them and retry the update.")
+    else:
+        note = "The scanned tree included user files preserved from the installed copy."
+    return f"{exc}\n\n{note}"
+
+
+def _scan_merged_tree(plugin_dir: Path, identifier: str, merged: Optional[list[str]], **kwargs):
+    """:func:`_scan_plugin_tree` for a candidate that may hold carried user files (*merged*).
+
+    A block then names the findings that sit in those files, so user data does not read as a
+    malicious upstream revision; the original block stays chained as the cause.
+    """
+    try:
+        return _scan_plugin_tree(plugin_dir, identifier, **kwargs)
+    except PluginScanBlocked as exc:
+        if not merged:
+            raise
+        raise PluginScanBlocked(_preserved_files_note(exc, merged), scan_result=exc.scan_result) from exc
+
+
 def _plugins_dir() -> Path:
     """Return the user plugins directory, creating it if needed."""
     plugins = get_hermes_home() / "plugins"
diff --git a/hermes_cli/plugins_cmd_install.py b/hermes_cli/plugins_cmd_install.py
index 4cf470644a..595dea2e0c 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/plugins_cmd_install.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/plugins_cmd_install.py
@@ -269,19 +269,6 @@ def _refuse_unavailable_portable_plugin(plugin_name: str, tree: Path) -> None:
         )
 
 
-def _preserved_files_note(exc: Exception, merged) -> str:
-    """Scan-block text for a tree that also holds user files preserved from the installed copy."""
-    preserved = {str(rel) for rel in merged}
-    findings = getattr(getattr(exc, "scan_result", None), "findings", None) or []
-    hits = sorted({f.file for f in findings if f.file in preserved})
-    if hits:
-        note = ("These findings come from user files preserved from the installed copy: "
-                f"{', '.join(hits)}. Move or remove them and retry the update.")
-    else:
-        note = "The scanned tree included user files preserved from the installed copy."
-    return f"{exc}\n\n{note}"
-
-
 def _install_plugin_core(
     identifier: str,
     *,
@@ -345,14 +332,8 @@ def _install_plugin_core(
         # admits the final bytes.
         merged = before_swap(manifest, tmp_target) if before_swap is not None else None
         # Scan BEFORE anything is moved into place; raises PluginScanBlocked when blocked.
-        try:
-            _pc()._scan_plugin_tree(tmp_target, identifier, force=force, scan_decision_cb=scan_decision_cb,
-                                    reviewed_pin=at_reviewed_pin)
-        except _pc().PluginScanBlocked as exc:
-            if not merged:
-                raise
-            raise _pc().PluginScanBlocked(_preserved_files_note(exc, merged),
-                                          scan_result=exc.scan_result) from exc
+        _pc()._scan_merged_tree(tmp_target, identifier, merged, force=force, scan_decision_cb=scan_decision_cb,
+                                reviewed_pin=at_reviewed_pin)
         if not python_deps:
             from pm.workspace import enabled_plugin_dirs
 
diff --git a/hermes_cli/plugins_transaction.py b/hermes_cli/plugins_transaction.py
index 4a43dd8a93..bb98a212cd 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/plugins_transaction.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/plugins_transaction.py
@@ -175,13 +175,7 @@ def update_plugin(
                 raise pc.PluginOperationError(
                     f"The updated plugin renamed itself to '{installed_name}', but that plugin already exists.")
             pc._check_manifest_version(manifest, installed_name)
-            try:
-                pc._scan_plugin_tree(staged, source, force=False)
-            except pc.PluginScanBlocked as exc:
-                if not merged:
-                    raise
-                from hermes_cli.plugins_cmd_install import _preserved_files_note
-                raise pc.PluginScanBlocked(_preserved_files_note(exc, merged), scan_result=exc.scan_result) from exc
+            pc._scan_merged_tree(staged, source, merged, force=False)
             pc._copy_example_files(staged, pc._console())
             _refresh_declared_dependencies(target, staged, manifest, interactive=interactive)
             if tree_digest(target) != before: