diff --git a/gerrit-sshd/src/main/java/com/google/gerrit/sshd/commands/ReviewCommand.java b/gerrit-sshd/src/main/java/com/google/gerrit/sshd/commands/ReviewCommand.java
index bad87decf4..e30d41bece 100644
--- a/gerrit-sshd/src/main/java/com/google/gerrit/sshd/commands/ReviewCommand.java
+++ b/gerrit-sshd/src/main/java/com/google/gerrit/sshd/commands/ReviewCommand.java
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ public class ReviewCommand extends SshCommand {
 
   @Option(name = "--label", aliases = "-l", usage = "custom label(s) to assign", metaVar = "LABEL=VALUE")
   void addLabel(final String token) {
-    LabelVote v = LabelVote.parse(token);
+    LabelVote v = LabelVote.parseWithEquals(token);
     LabelType.checkName(v.getLabel()); // Disallow SUBM.
     customLabels.put(v.getLabel(), v.getValue());
   }