diff --git a/youtube_dl/__init__.py b/youtube_dl/__init__.py
index 0704515df..8f8422cc7 100644
--- a/youtube_dl/__init__.py
+++ b/youtube_dl/__init__.py
@@ -235,7 +235,7 @@ def parseOpts(overrideArguments=None):
 
     video_format.add_option('-f', '--format',
             action='store', dest='format', metavar='FORMAT', default='best',
-            help='video format code, specifiy the order of preference using slashes: "-f 22/17/18". "-f mp4" and "-f flv" are also supported')
+            help='video format code, specify the order of preference using slashes: "-f 22/17/18". "-f mp4" and "-f flv" are also supported')
     video_format.add_option('--all-formats',
             action='store_const', dest='format', help='download all available video formats', const='all')
     video_format.add_option('--prefer-free-formats',