diff --git a/IPython/nbconvert/nbconvertapp.py b/IPython/nbconvert/nbconvertapp.py
index dad682d..ea0974b 100755
--- a/IPython/nbconvert/nbconvertapp.py
+++ b/IPython/nbconvert/nbconvertapp.py
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ class NbConvertApp(BaseIPythonApplication):
 
     @catch_config_error
     def initialize(self, argv=None):
-        self.aliases.update(nbconvert_aliases)
+        self.aliases.update(self.nbconvert_aliases)
 
         super(NbConvertApp, self).initialize(argv)