diff --git a/mitmproxy/tools/cmdline.py b/mitmproxy/tools/cmdline.py
index 97b04e743..cd62aa2c8 100644
--- a/mitmproxy/tools/cmdline.py
+++ b/mitmproxy/tools/cmdline.py
@@ -12,14 +12,9 @@ def common_options(parser, opts):
     parser.add_argument(
         '--version',
         action='store_true',
+        help="show version number and exit",
         dest='version',
     )
-    parser.add_argument(
-        '--shortversion',
-        action='version',
-        help="show program's short version number and exit",
-        version=version.VERSION
-    )
     parser.add_argument(
         '--options',
         action='store_true',