diff --git a/sbin/nvmecontrol/nvmecontrol.8 b/sbin/nvmecontrol/nvmecontrol.8
index 713fcf092d6..cb3e8aa9080 100644
--- a/sbin/nvmecontrol/nvmecontrol.8
+++ b/sbin/nvmecontrol/nvmecontrol.8
@@ -572,6 +572,16 @@ A failed sanitize operation can only be exited if it was
 run in the unrestricted completion mode, as provided by the
 .Fl U
 argument.
+.It 1, 2, 3, 4
+nvme-cli compatible
+.Fl a
+values for
+.Dq exitfailure ,
+.Dq block ,
+.Dq overwrite ,
+and
+.Dq crypto
+respectively.
 .El
 .It Fl c Ar passes
 The number of passes when performing an
diff --git a/sbin/nvmecontrol/sanitize.c b/sbin/nvmecontrol/sanitize.c
index ba89e138db8..e720c6d4349 100644
--- a/sbin/nvmecontrol/sanitize.c
+++ b/sbin/nvmecontrol/sanitize.c
@@ -130,8 +130,11 @@ sanitize(const struct cmd *f, int argc, char *argv[])
 			sanact = 3;
 		else if (strcmp(opt.sanact, "crypto") == 0)
 			sanact = 4;
+		else if ((sanact = (int)strtol(opt.sanact, NULL, 10) != 0)
+		    && (sanact >= 1 && sanact <= 4))
+			; /* compat with nvme sanitize -a number */
 		else {
-			fprintf(stderr, "Incorrect Sanitize Action value\n");
+			fprintf(stderr, "Incorrect Sanitize Action value: %s\n", opt.sanact);
 			arg_help(argc, argv, f);
 		}
 	}