diff --git a/kitty/config.py b/kitty/config.py
index 36af997b5..4504ed6ac 100644
--- a/kitty/config.py
+++ b/kitty/config.py
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ def parse_key_action(action):
     if func == 'combine':
         sep, rest = rest.split(' ', 1)
         parts = re.split(r'\s*' + re.escape(sep) + r'\s*', rest)
-        args = tuple(map(parse_key_action, parts))
+        args = tuple(map(parse_key_action, filter(None, parts)))
     return KeyAction(func, args)
 
 
diff --git a/kitty/kitty.conf b/kitty/kitty.conf
index f960ef2f1..5f5958429 100644
--- a/kitty/kitty.conf
+++ b/kitty/kitty.conf
@@ -210,7 +210,7 @@ color15  #ffffff
 # syntax below:
 # map key combine <separator> action1 <separator> action2 <separator> action3 ...
 # For example:
-map ctrl+shift+e combine : new_window : next_layout
+# map ctrl+shift+e combine : new_window : next_layout
 # this will create a new window and switch to the next available layout
 
 # Clipboard