diff --git a/src/tools/pkcs11-tool.c b/src/tools/pkcs11-tool.c
index 2a01cf0e..27813022 100644
--- a/src/tools/pkcs11-tool.c
+++ b/src/tools/pkcs11-tool.c
@@ -551,6 +551,8 @@ int main(int argc, char * argv[])
 			opt_output = optarg;
 			break;
 		case 'p':
+			need_session |= NEED_SESSION_RW;
+			opt_login = 1;
 			util_get_pin(optarg, &opt_pin);
 			break;
 		case 'c':