diff --git a/src/cmdparse.y b/src/cmdparse.y
index ab3dd4cc..cae2d3c5 100644
--- a/src/cmdparse.y
+++ b/src/cmdparse.y
@@ -482,7 +482,7 @@ layout:
 
         /* check if the match is empty, not if the result is empty */
         if (match_is_empty(&current_match))
-            focused->layout = $<number>3;
+            focused->parent->layout = $<number>3;
         else {
             TAILQ_FOREACH(current, &owindows, owindows) {
                 printf("matching: %p / %s\n", current->con, current->con->name);