diff --git a/libs/argv.c b/libs/argv.c
index dfe6f10..1381a1f 100644
--- a/libs/argv.c
+++ b/libs/argv.c
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ readargs(int argc, char *argv[])
 		} else if (!strcmp(argv[i], "-nip")) {  /* don't indent to prompt width */
 				indentitems = 0;
         } else if (i + 1 == argc) {
-                fprintf(stderr, "spmenu: The '%s' option requires an argument.\n", argv[i]);
+                fprintf(stderr, "spmenu: The '%s' option requires an argument.\n", argv[i-1]);
 
 		/* these options take one argument */
         } else if (!strcmp(argv[i], "-g")) {   /* number of columns in grid */