diff --git a/lib/ansible/modules/packaging/os/apt.py b/lib/ansible/modules/packaging/os/apt.py
index 0dd2b725a40..0c5f7db5b1c 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/modules/packaging/os/apt.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/modules/packaging/os/apt.py
@@ -411,7 +411,7 @@ def install(m, pkgspec, cache, upgrade=False, default_release=None,
             only_upgrade = ''
 
         if build_dep:
-            cmd = "%s -y %s %s %s build-dep %s" % (APT_GET_CMD, dpkg_options, force_yes, check_arg, packages)
+            cmd = "%s -y %s %s %s %s build-dep %s" % (APT_GET_CMD, dpkg_options, only_upgrade, force_yes, check_arg, packages)
         else:
             cmd = "%s -y %s %s %s %s %s install %s" % (APT_GET_CMD, dpkg_options, only_upgrade, force_yes, autoremove, check_arg, packages)