diff --git a/NEWS b/NEWS
index 93ddb2cd..55981d44 100644
--- a/NEWS
+++ b/NEWS
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 procps-ng-NEXT
 ----------------
   * pgrep: don't crash with -a -w flags. Merge 33, Debian #768190
+  * skill: command line with signal number interpreted correctly
 
 procps-ng-3.3.10
 ----------------
diff --git a/skill.c b/skill.c
index 2b1ce2f1..9a19a8bb 100644
--- a/skill.c
+++ b/skill.c
@@ -588,8 +588,10 @@ static void skillsnice_parse(int argc,
 		prino = snice_prio_option(&argc, argv);
 	else if (program == PROG_SKILL) {
 		signo = skill_sig_option(&argc, argv);
-		if (-1 < signo)
+		if (-1 < signo) {
 			sig_or_pri = signo;
+			argc -= 1;
+		}
 	}
 
 	pid_count = 0;