diff --git a/electrum b/electrum
index b6f825aa8..b2d6632cd 100755
--- a/electrum
+++ b/electrum
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ from electrum.commands import get_parser, known_commands, Commands, config_varia
 # get password routine
 def prompt_password(prompt, confirm=True):
     import getpass
-    password = getpass.getpass(prompt)
+    password = getpass.getpass(prompt, stream=None)
     if password and confirm:
         password2 = getpass.getpass("Confirm: ")
         if password != password2:
@@ -141,8 +141,7 @@ def init_cmdline(config):
             return prompt_password("Password (hit return if you do not wish to encrypt your wallet):")
 
         if cmd.name == 'restore':
-            import getpass
-            text = getpass.getpass(prompt="seed:", stream=None) if config.get('concealed') else raw_input("seed or key(s):")
+            text = config.get('text')
             try:
                 wallet = Wallet.from_text(text, password_dialog, storage)
             except BaseException as e:
@@ -425,6 +424,8 @@ if __name__ == '__main__':
             else:
                 raise BaseException('Cannot get argument from stdin')
         elif arg == '?':
+            sys.argv[i] = raw_input("Enter argument:")
+        elif arg == ':':
             sys.argv[i] = prompt_password('Enter argument (will not echo):', False)
 
     # parse command line
diff --git a/lib/commands.py b/lib/commands.py
index 180aa4f78..db9b5201c 100644
--- a/lib/commands.py
+++ b/lib/commands.py
@@ -103,10 +103,11 @@ class Commands:
         """Create a new wallet"""
 
     @command('')
-    def restore(self, concealed=False):
-        """Restore a wallet. A wallet can be restored from a seed phrase, a
-        master public key, a master private key, a list of bitcoin addresses
-        or bitcoin private keys."""
+    def restore(self, text):
+        """Restore a wallet from text. Text can be a seed phrase, a master
+        public key, a master private key, a list of bitcoin addresses
+        or bitcoin private keys. If you want to be prompted for your
+        seed, type '?' or ':' (concealed) """
 
     @command('w')
     def deseed(self):
@@ -615,7 +616,6 @@ param_descriptions = {
 
 command_options = {
     'password':    ("-W", "--password",    "Password"),
-    'concealed':   ("-C", "--concealed",   "Don't echo seed to console when restoring"),
     'receiving':   (None, "--receiving",   "Show only receiving addresses"),
     'change':      (None, "--change",      "Show only change addresses"),
     'frozen':      (None, "--frozen",      "Show only frozen addresses"),