diff --git a/cli/dcoscli/package/main.py b/cli/dcoscli/package/main.py
index ab587a1..8cc4ce4 100644
--- a/cli/dcoscli/package/main.py
+++ b/cli/dcoscli/package/main.py
@@ -219,7 +219,8 @@ def _describe(package_name,
     :type package_name: str
     :param app: If True, marathon.json will be printed
     :type app: boolean
-    :param cli: If True, command.json should be printed
+    :param cli: If True, command.json | resource.json's cli property should
+                be printed
     :type cli: boolean
     :param options_path: Path to json file with options to override
                          config.json defaults.
@@ -267,7 +268,7 @@ def _describe(package_name,
         options = pkg.options(user_options)
 
         if cli:
-            emitter.publish(pkg.command_json())
+            emitter.publish(pkg.cli_definition())
         if app:
             if render:
                 app_output = pkg.marathon_json(options)
diff --git a/dcos/cosmospackage.py b/dcos/cosmospackage.py
index ff90c20..30256b9 100644
--- a/dcos/cosmospackage.py
+++ b/dcos/cosmospackage.py
@@ -416,6 +416,18 @@ class CosmosPackageVersion():
         return self._command_json is not None or (
             self._resource_json and self._resource_json.get("cli"))
 
+    def cli_definition(self):
+        """Returns the JSON content that defines a cli subcommand. Looks for
+        "cli" property in resource.json first and if that is None, checks for
+        command.json
+
+        :returns: Package data
+        :rtype: dict
+        """
+
+        return (self._resource_json and self._resource_json.get("cli")) or (
+            self._command_json)
+
     def command_json(self):
         """Returns the JSON content of the command.json file.