diff --git a/scripttease/lib/commands/python.py b/scripttease/lib/commands/python.py
index e30fae4..0e4c861 100644
--- a/scripttease/lib/commands/python.py
+++ b/scripttease/lib/commands/python.py
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ def python_pip_file(path, venv=None, version=3, **kwargs):
 
     kwargs.setdefault("comment", "install packages from pip file %s" % path)
 
-    statement = "%s -r %s" % (manager, path)
+    statement = "%s install -r %s" % (manager, path)
 
     return Command(statement, **kwargs)