diff --git a/sway/commands/split.c b/sway/commands/split.c
index d364cc95a..ec56c2f08 100644
--- a/sway/commands/split.c
+++ b/sway/commands/split.c
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ static struct cmd_results *do_split(int layout) {
 	struct sway_container *con = config->handler_context.container;
 	struct sway_workspace *ws = config->handler_context.workspace;
 	if (con) {
-		if (container_is_scratchpad_hidden(con) &&
+		if (container_is_scratchpad_hidden_or_child(con) &&
 				con->fullscreen_mode != FULLSCREEN_GLOBAL) {
 			return cmd_results_new(CMD_FAILURE,
 					"Cannot split a hidden scratchpad container");