diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/cmd/diy.py b/lib/spack/spack/cmd/diy.py
index 9df53312f80583..2c3a8761ab6f50 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/cmd/diy.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/cmd/diy.py
@@ -45,6 +45,9 @@ def setup_parser(subparser):
     subparser.add_argument(
         '--skip-patch', action='store_true',
         help="Skip patching for the DIY build.")
+    subparser.add_argument(
+        '-q', '--quiet', action='store_true', dest='quiet',
+        help="Do not display verbose build output while installing.")
     subparser.add_argument(
         'spec', nargs=argparse.REMAINDER,
         help="specs to use for install.  Must contain package AND verison.")
@@ -92,4 +95,5 @@ def diy(self, args):
         package.do_install(
             keep_prefix=args.keep_prefix,
             ignore_deps=args.ignore_deps,
+            verbose=not args.quiet,
             keep_stage=True)   # don't remove source dir for DIY.