diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index dc8128d7a15..5a67ce17f3a 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -511,8 +511,10 @@ Extra variables:
 A [Magma](https://magmafoundation.org/) server, which is a combination of Forge and PaperMC, can be used with
 
     -e TYPE=MAGMA
+    -e MAGMA_VERSION=9f3a3c25
 
-> **NOTE** there are limited base versions supported, so you will also need to  set `VERSION`, such as "1.12.2", "1.16.5", etc.
+> **NOTE** there are limited base versions supported, so you will also need to  set `VERSION`, such as "1.12.2", "1.16.5", etc. 
+> To switch the MAGMA version, you need to take the name of the desired tag from the magmafoundation git repository, [for example, to version 1.18](https://git.magmafoundation.org/magmafoundation/Magma-1-18-x/-/tags).
 
 
 ### Running a Mohist server
diff --git a/scripts/start-deployMagma b/scripts/start-deployMagma
index 9a6f92ea275..4908414cb4e 100755
--- a/scripts/start-deployMagma
+++ b/scripts/start-deployMagma
@@ -4,9 +4,11 @@
 . "${SCRIPTS:-/}start-utils"
 isDebugging && set -x
 
+: "${MAGMA_VERSION:=}"
+
 resolveVersion
 
-if ! downloadUrl=$(get --json-path '$.link' "https://api.magmafoundation.org/api/v2/${VERSION}/latest"); then
+if ! downloadUrl=$(get --json-path '$.link' "https://api.magmafoundation.org/api/v2/${VERSION}/latest/${MAGMA_VERSION}"); then
   log "ERROR failed to locate latest Magma download for ${VERSION}. Is that version supported?"
   exit 1
 fi