diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/cmd/dependents.py b/lib/spack/spack/cmd/dependents.py
index 4cbb7cdd3cd..e6b205037de 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/cmd/dependents.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/cmd/dependents.py
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ def setup_parser(subparser):
         default=False,
         help="show all transitive dependents",
     )
+    arguments.add_common_arguments(subparser, ["deptype"])
     arguments.add_common_arguments(subparser, ["spec"])
 
 
@@ -107,7 +108,9 @@ def dependents(parser, args):
         format_string = "{name}{@version}{%compiler}{/hash:7}"
         if sys.stdout.isatty():
             tty.msg("Dependents of %s" % spec.cformat(format_string))
-        deps = spack.store.STORE.db.installed_relatives(spec, "parents", args.transitive)
+        deps = spack.store.STORE.db.installed_relatives(
+            spec, "parents", args.transitive, deptype=args.deptype
+        )
         if deps:
             spack.cmd.display_specs(deps, long=True)
         else: