diff --git a/cabal-install/Distribution/Client/Install.hs b/cabal-install/Distribution/Client/Install.hs
index 9d03fb83cded64c8cebe4fe6b2a3e4a73e0c7379..12af88c703b4bb44f5b755368affb839f2c08d20 100644
--- a/cabal-install/Distribution/Client/Install.hs
+++ b/cabal-install/Distribution/Client/Install.hs
@@ -523,7 +523,7 @@ checkPrintPlan verbosity comp installed installPlan sourcePkgDb
       die $ "Can't download packages in offline mode. "
       ++ "Must download the following packages to proceed:\n"
       ++ intercalate ", " (map display notFetched)
-      ++ "\nTry running 'cabal install --only-dependencies'."
+      ++ "\nTry using 'cabal fetch'."
 
   where
     nothingToInstall = null (InstallPlan.ready installPlan)