diff --git a/lib/between_meals/knife.rb b/lib/between_meals/knife.rb
index a89efb5..16cd777 100755
--- a/lib/between_meals/knife.rb
+++ b/lib/between_meals/knife.rb
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ def write_user_config
 
     def create_databag_if_missing(databag)
       s = Mixlib::ShellOut.new("#{@knife} data bag list" +
-                               " --format json #{@knife_verb_option} " +
+                               ' --format json ' +
                                "-c #{@config}").run_command
       s.error!
       db = JSON.parse(s.stdout)