diff --git a/sway/commands.c b/sway/commands.c
index 2e28e69d2..0935cafc7 100644
--- a/sway/commands.c
+++ b/sway/commands.c
@@ -237,6 +237,9 @@ static bool _do_split(struct sway_config *config, int argc, char **argv, int lay
 	swayc_t *focused = get_focused_container(&root_container);
 	if (focused->type == C_WORKSPACE) {
 		sway_log(L_DEBUG, "Dont split workspaces");
+		if(focused->children->length == 0) {
+			focused->layout = layout;
+		}
 		return true;
 	}
 	swayc_t *parent = focused->parent;