diff --git a/cmd/syft/cli/commands.go b/cmd/syft/cli/commands.go
index cc80b97aa..39e3ab012 100644
--- a/cmd/syft/cli/commands.go
+++ b/cmd/syft/cli/commands.go
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ func New() (*cobra.Command, error) {
 
 	// rootCmd is currently an alias for the packages command
 	rootCmd := &cobra.Command{
+		Use:           fmt.Sprintf("%s [SOURCE]", internal.ApplicationName),
 		Short:         packagesCmd.Short,
 		Long:          packagesCmd.Long,
 		Args:          packagesCmd.Args,