diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 8829a0e0d..c56d0b62e 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ Next, let's set a single key, and then retrieve it:
 
 ```
 ETCDCTL_API=3 etcdctl put mykey "this is awesome"
-ETCDCTL_API=3 etcdctl put mykey
+ETCDCTL_API=3 etcdctl get mykey
 ```
 
 That's it-- etcd is running and serving keys.