diff --git a/nix-repl.cc b/nix-repl.cc
index e753c637a..ca221b033 100644
--- a/nix-repl.cc
+++ b/nix-repl.cc
@@ -281,6 +281,7 @@ bool NixRepl::processLine(string line)
              << "  <x> = <expr>  Bind expression to variable\n"
              << "  :a <expr>     Add attributes from resulting set to scope\n"
              << "  :b <expr>     Build derivation\n"
+             << "  :i <expr>     Build derivation, then install result into current profile\n"
              << "  :l <path>     Load Nix expression and add it to scope\n"
              << "  :p <expr>     Evaluate and print expression recursively\n"
              << "  :q            Exit nix-repl\n"
@@ -311,7 +312,7 @@ bool NixRepl::processLine(string line)
         std::cout << showType(v) << std::endl;
     }
 
-    else if (command == ":b" || command == ":s") {
+    else if (command == ":b" || command == ":i" || command == ":s") {
         Value v;
         evalString(arg, v);
         DrvInfo drvInfo(state);
@@ -331,8 +332,11 @@ bool NixRepl::processLine(string line)
                 for (auto & i : drv.outputs)
                     std::cout << format("  %1% -> %2%") % i.first % i.second.path << std::endl;
             }
-        } else
+        } else if (command == ":i") {
+            runProgram("nix-env", Strings{"-i", drvPath});
+        } else {
             runProgram("nix-shell", Strings{drvPath});
+        }
     }
 
     else if (command == ":p" || command == ":print") {