diff --git a/lib/cylc/config.py b/lib/cylc/config.py
index 748813839bf..0829c8f85bd 100644
--- a/lib/cylc/config.py
+++ b/lib/cylc/config.py
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ def __init__( self, suite, fpath, template_vars=[],
         self.cfg = self.pcfg.get(sparse=True)
 
         if self._cli_start_string is not None:
-            self.cfg['scheduling']['initial cycle time'] = (
+            self.cfg['scheduling']['initial cycle point'] = (
                 self._cli_start_string)
 
         if 'cycling mode' not in self.cfg['scheduling']: