diff --git a/pecan/commands/base.py b/pecan/commands/base.py
index 85f40d4..43c25a4 100644
--- a/pecan/commands/base.py
+++ b/pecan/commands/base.py
@@ -61,9 +61,11 @@ class CommandRunner(object):
 
     def __init__(self):
         self.manager = CommandManager()
-        self.parser = HelpfulArgumentParser(
-            version='Pecan %s' % self.version,
-            add_help=True
+        self.parser = HelpfulArgumentParser(add_help=True)
+        self.parser.add_argument(
+            '--version',
+            action='version',
+            version='Pecan %s' % self.version
         )
         self.parse_sub_commands()