diff --git a/doc/manpages/qubes-prefs.rst b/doc/manpages/qubes-prefs.rst
index 295501cd..cad5f9c9 100644
--- a/doc/manpages/qubes-prefs.rst
+++ b/doc/manpages/qubes-prefs.rst
@@ -27,10 +27,6 @@ Options
 
    Decrease verbosity.
 
-.. option:: --force-root
-
-   Force to run as root.
-
 .. option:: --unset, --default, --delete, -D
 
    Unset the property. If is has default value, it will be used instead.
diff --git a/qubes/tools/qubes_prefs.py b/qubes/tools/qubes_prefs.py
index 9f6a947b..8abf4c23 100644
--- a/qubes/tools/qubes_prefs.py
+++ b/qubes/tools/qubes_prefs.py
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
 
 from __future__ import print_function
 
+import argparse
 import sys
 
 import qubes
@@ -33,8 +34,11 @@ import qubes.tools
 import qubes.utils
 
 
-parser = qubes.tools.QubesArgumentParser(
-    want_force_root=True)
+parser = qubes.tools.QubesArgumentParser()
+
+# keep it here for compatibility with earlier and possibly future versions
+parser.add_argument('--force-root',
+    action='store_true', help=argparse.SUPPRESS)
 
 parser.add_argument('--help-properties',
     action=qubes.tools.HelpPropertiesAction)