diff --git a/freqtrade/commands/arguments.py b/freqtrade/commands/arguments.py
index 9468a7f7d..9cf9992ce 100644
--- a/freqtrade/commands/arguments.py
+++ b/freqtrade/commands/arguments.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ ARGS_STRATEGY = ["strategy", "strategy_path"]
 ARGS_TRADE = ["db_url", "sd_notify", "dry_run", "dry_run_wallet", "fee"]
 
 ARGS_COMMON_OPTIMIZE = ["timeframe", "timerange", "dataformat_ohlcv",
-                        "max_open_trades", "stake_amount", "fee"]
+                        "max_open_trades", "stake_amount", "fee", "pairs"]
 
 ARGS_BACKTEST = ARGS_COMMON_OPTIMIZE + ["position_stacking", "use_max_market_positions",
                                         "enable_protections", "dry_run_wallet",
diff --git a/freqtrade/commands/cli_options.py b/freqtrade/commands/cli_options.py
index 4fac8ac72..e49895de4 100644
--- a/freqtrade/commands/cli_options.py
+++ b/freqtrade/commands/cli_options.py
@@ -330,7 +330,7 @@ AVAILABLE_CLI_OPTIONS = {
     # Script options
     "pairs": Arg(
         '-p', '--pairs',
-        help='Show profits for only these pairs. Pairs are space-separated.',
+        help='Limit command to these pairs. Pairs are space-separated.',
         nargs='+',
     ),
     # Download data
diff --git a/freqtrade/configuration/configuration.py b/freqtrade/configuration/configuration.py
index 9acd532cc..cc11f97c2 100644
--- a/freqtrade/configuration/configuration.py
+++ b/freqtrade/configuration/configuration.py
@@ -445,6 +445,7 @@ class Configuration:
         """
 
         if "pairs" in config:
+            config['exchange']['pair_whitelist'] = config['pairs']
             return
 
         if "pairs_file" in self.args and self.args["pairs_file"]: