diff --git a/fabric/operations.py b/fabric/operations.py
index a8246e0..3e235ed 100644
--- a/fabric/operations.py
+++ b/fabric/operations.py
@@ -126,6 +126,9 @@ def require(*keys, **kwargs):
     # And print provided_by if given
     if 'provided_by' in kwargs:
         funcs = kwargs['provided_by']
+        if not hasattr(funcs, '__iter__'):
+            # non-iterable is given, treat it as a list this single item
+            funcs = [funcs]
         # Pluralize this too
         if len(funcs) > 1:
             command = "one of the following commands"