diff --git a/src/_pytest/helpconfig.py b/src/_pytest/helpconfig.py
index 87cd2c0a7..ae37fdea4 100644
--- a/src/_pytest/helpconfig.py
+++ b/src/_pytest/helpconfig.py
@@ -40,8 +40,9 @@ def pytest_addoption(parser):
     group = parser.getgroup("debugconfig")
     group.addoption(
         "--version",
+        "-V",
         action="store_true",
-        help="display pytest lib version and import information.",
+        help="display pytest version and information about plugins.",
     )
     group._addoption(
         "-h",