diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/system/run_external.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/system/run_external.rs
index 07a9e941c1..4e2457e4a6 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/system/run_external.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/system/run_external.rs
@@ -34,7 +34,8 @@ impl Command for External {
         Signature::build(self.name())
             .switch("redirect-stdout", "redirect-stdout", None)
             .switch("redirect-stderr", "redirect-stderr", None)
-            .rest("rest", SyntaxShape::Any, "external command to run")
+            .required("command", SyntaxShape::Any, "external comamdn to run")
+            .rest("args", SyntaxShape::Any, "arguments for external command")
             .category(Category::System)
     }