diff --git a/src/scancode/cli.py b/src/scancode/cli.py
index 9369fe7d91..6bef3ca8a3 100644
--- a/src/scancode/cli.py
+++ b/src/scancode/cli.py
@@ -376,6 +376,7 @@ def default_processes():
 @click.option(
     "--check-version/--no-check-version",
     help="Whether to check for new versions. Defaults to true.",
+    type=bool,
     default=True,
     # not yet supported in Click 6.7 but added in PluggableCommandLineOption
     hidden=True,