diff --git a/packages/angular/cli/commands/update-impl.ts b/packages/angular/cli/commands/update-impl.ts
index 38f1d7fb448a..e5f575db4dfb 100644
--- a/packages/angular/cli/commands/update-impl.ts
+++ b/packages/angular/cli/commands/update-impl.ts
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ export class UpdateCommand extends SchematicCommand<UpdateCommandSchema> {
       collectionName: this.collectionName,
       schematicName: this.schematicName,
       schematicOptions: options['--'],
-      dryRun: options.dryRun,
+      dryRun: !!options.dryRun,
       force: false,
       showNothingDone: false,
     });
diff --git a/packages/angular/cli/commands/update.json b/packages/angular/cli/commands/update.json
index 9c53d613de6d..964f1e05d2ef 100644
--- a/packages/angular/cli/commands/update.json
+++ b/packages/angular/cli/commands/update.json
@@ -22,14 +22,6 @@
           "$default": {
             "$source": "argv"
           }
-        },
-        "dryRun": {
-          "type": "boolean",
-          "default": false,
-          "aliases": [
-            "d"
-          ],
-          "description": "Run through without making any changes."
         }
       },
       "required": [