diff --git a/openml/cli.py b/openml/cli.py
index d0a46e498..fa10c65ac 100644
--- a/openml/cli.py
+++ b/openml/cli.py
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
 from urllib.parse import urlparse
 
 from openml import config
+from openml.__version__ import __version__
 
 
 def is_hex(string_: str) -> bool:
@@ -331,6 +332,13 @@ def main() -> None:
     subroutines = {"configure": configure}
 
     parser = argparse.ArgumentParser()
+    # Add a global --version flag to display installed version and exit
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--version",
+        action="version",
+        version=f"%(prog)s {__version__}",
+        help="Show the OpenML version and exit",
+    )
     subparsers = parser.add_subparsers(dest="subroutine")
 
     parser_configure = subparsers.add_parser(