diff --git a/Python/pythonmain.c b/Python/pythonmain.c
index 0e47c9a3d60..0f8ff023903 100644
--- a/Python/pythonmain.c
+++ b/Python/pythonmain.c
@@ -65,8 +65,21 @@ main(argc, argv)
 	initargs(&argc, &argv); /* Defined in config*.c */
 
 	while ((c = getopt(argc, argv, "c:")) != EOF) {
+		if (c == 'c') {
+			/* -c is the last option; following arguments
+			   that look like options are left for the
+			   the command to interpret. */
+			command = malloc(strlen(optarg) + 2);
+			/* Ignore malloc errors this early... */
+			strcpy(command, optarg);
+			strcat(command, "\n");
+			break;
+		}
+		
 		switch (c) {
 
+		/* This space reserved for other options */
+
 		default:
 			fprintf(stderr,
 				"usage: %s [-c cmd | file | -] [arg] ...\n",
@@ -74,18 +87,6 @@ main(argc, argv)
 			exit(2);
 			/*NOTREACHED*/
 
-		case 'c':
-			if (command != NULL) {
-				fprintf(stderr, "%s: duplicate -c option\n",
-					argv[0]);
-				exit(2);
-			}
-			command = malloc(strlen(optarg) + 2);
-			/* Ignore malloc errors this early... */
-			strcpy(command, optarg);
-			strcat(command, "\n");
-			break;
-
 		}
 	}