diff --git a/packages/nx/src/command-line/init/init.ts b/packages/nx/src/command-line/init/init.ts
index 3b6337a088408..75ae6e294674d 100644
--- a/packages/nx/src/command-line/init/init.ts
+++ b/packages/nx/src/command-line/init/init.ts
@@ -25,7 +25,8 @@ export interface InitArgs {
 }
 
 export async function initHandler(options: InitArgs) {
-  const args = process.argv.slice(2).join(' ');
+  // strip the 'init' command itself so we don't forward it
+  const args = process.argv.slice(3).join(' ');
   const flags = parser(args, {
     boolean: ['useDotNxInstallation'],
     alias: {