diff --git a/lib/galaxy/config.py b/lib/galaxy/config.py
index 27cb322d02c..690a1f6e430 100644
--- a/lib/galaxy/config.py
+++ b/lib/galaxy/config.py
@@ -452,7 +452,7 @@ class Configuration( object ):
         self.visualization_plugins_directory = kwargs.get(
             'visualization_plugins_directory', 'config/plugins/visualizations' )
         ie_dirs = kwargs.get( 'interactive_environment_plugins_directory', None )
-        self.gie_dirs = [d.strip() for d in (ie_dirs.splits(",") if ie_dirs else [])]
+        self.gie_dirs = [d.strip() for d in (ie_dirs.split(",") if ie_dirs else [])]
         if ie_dirs and not self.visualization_plugins_directory:
             self.visualization_plugins_directory = ie_dirs
         elif ie_dirs: