diff --git a/tabby-core/src/services/app.service.ts b/tabby-core/src/services/app.service.ts
index 3a1caa9c..4dafa922 100644
--- a/tabby-core/src/services/app.service.ts
+++ b/tabby-core/src/services/app.service.ts
@@ -174,6 +174,9 @@ export class AppService {
      * @param inputs  Properties to be assigned on the new tab component instance
      */
     openNewTab <T extends BaseTabComponent> (params: NewTabParameters<T>): T {
+        if (params.type === SplitTabComponent) {
+            return this.openNewTabRaw(params)
+        }
         const splitTab = this.tabsService.create({ type: SplitTabComponent })
         const tab = this.tabsService.create(params)
         splitTab.addTab(tab, null, 'r')