diff --git a/vl.c b/vl.c
index 112b0e0af9..0fccf50a5d 100644
--- a/vl.c
+++ b/vl.c
@@ -3196,7 +3196,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv, char **envp)
     cpudef_init();
 
     if (cpu_model && *cpu_model == '?') {
-        list_cpus(stdout, &fprintf, optarg);
+        list_cpus(stdout, &fprintf, cpu_model);
         exit(0);
     }