diff --git a/library/yum b/library/yum
index 277bb950c18..df47cdd9d7a 100755
--- a/library/yum
+++ b/library/yum
@@ -276,7 +276,7 @@ def latest(module, items, repoq, yum_basecmd):
 
     for spec in items:
         pkg = None
-        basecmd = update
+        basecmd = 'update'
         # groups, again
         if spec.startswith('@'):
             pkg = spec