¶2 Jeffrey E. Walker, a California state prisoner, appeals pro se from the district court’s order denying his request to proceed in forma pauperis in his 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action alleging deliberate indifference. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291. We review de novo the district court’s interpretation and application of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g), Andrews v. Cervantes, 493 F.3d 1047, 1052 (9th Cir. 2007), and for an abuse of discretion its denial of leave to proceed in forma pauper-is, O’Loughlin v. Doe, 920 F.2d 614, 616 (9th Cir.1990). We reverse and remand.
¶3 The district court improperly denied Walker’s request to proceed in forma pauperis because Walker made plausible allegations that he was “under imminent danger of serious physical injury” at the time he lodged the complaint, including that his repeated placement in double-cell housing without first completing treatment for coping in that environment caused his mental health to deteriorate such that he became suicidal and violent towards others. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g); see also Andrews, 493 F.3d at 1055 (an exception to the three-strikes rule exists “if the complaint makes a plausible allegation that the prisoner faced ‘imminent danger of serious physical injury1 at the time of filing”).
¶4 To the extent that Walker seeks a preliminary injunction, we deny the request.
¶5 Walker shall bear his own costs on appeal.
¶6 REVERSED and REMANDED.