diff --git a/pisi/cli/commands.py b/pisi/cli/commands.py
index c005d7be..9ced5d9e 100644
--- a/pisi/cli/commands.py
+++ b/pisi/cli/commands.py
@@ -567,6 +567,8 @@ expanded to package names.
                      default=False, help=_("Ignore file conflicts"))
         p.add_option("-e", "--eager", action="store_true",
                      default=False, help=_("eager upgrades"))
+        p.add_option("-f", "--fetch-only", action="store_true",
+                     default=False, help=_("Fetch upgrades but do not install."))
 
     def run(self):
         self.init()
diff --git a/pisi/operations.py b/pisi/operations.py
index 7a04ee4c..23c0b3c5 100644
--- a/pisi/operations.py
+++ b/pisi/operations.py
@@ -467,6 +467,10 @@ def upgrade_pkg_names(A = []):
     for x in order:
         install_op = atomicoperations.Install.from_name(x)
         paths.append(install_op.package_fname)
+
+    # fetch to be upgraded packages but do not install them.
+    if ctx.get_option('fetch_only'):
+        return
    
     for path in paths:
         install_op = atomicoperations.Install(path, ignore_file_conflicts = True)