diff --git a/src/pip/_internal/cli/req_command.py b/src/pip/_internal/cli/req_command.py
index 104b033281f..deb105cac27 100644
--- a/src/pip/_internal/cli/req_command.py
+++ b/src/pip/_internal/cli/req_command.py
@@ -314,7 +314,7 @@ def get_requirements(
                     parsed_req,
                     isolated=options.isolated_mode,
                 )
-                req_to_add.is_direct = True
+                req_to_add.is_direct = False
                 requirement_set.add_requirement(req_to_add)
 
         for req in args: