diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/cmd/setup.py b/lib/spack/spack/cmd/setup.py
index 02e9bfd2811..04f3d663df5 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/cmd/setup.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/cmd/setup.py
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ def setup_parser(subparser):
         help="Display verbose build output while installing.")
     subparser.add_argument(
         'spec', nargs=argparse.REMAINDER,
-        help="specs to use for install.  Must contain package AND verison.")
+        help="specs to use for install.  Must contain package AND version.")
 
 
 def setup(self, args):