diff --git a/bitbake/lib/bb/shell.py b/bitbake/lib/bb/shell.py
index c902f15a6b..b1ad78306d 100644
--- a/bitbake/lib/bb/shell.py
+++ b/bitbake/lib/bb/shell.py
@@ -518,7 +518,7 @@ SRC_URI = ""
 
     def stage( self, params ):
         """Execute 'stage' on a providee"""
-        self.build( params, "stage" )
+        self.build( params, "populate_staging" )
     stage.usage = "<providee>"
 
     def status( self, params ):