diff --git a/kitty/layout/splits.py b/kitty/layout/splits.py
index ed6aad9e6..6ab6de710 100644
--- a/kitty/layout/splits.py
+++ b/kitty/layout/splits.py
@@ -628,7 +628,7 @@ def layout_action(self, action_name: str, args: Sequence[str], all_windows: Wind
             count = 0
             for wid in self.pairs_root.all_window_ids():
                 count += 1
-                if count > 1:
+                if count > 2:
                     break
             if count > 1:
                 args = args or ('left',)