diff --git a/cgatcore/pipeline/control.py b/cgatcore/pipeline/control.py
index 5a0e5f76..554c89dc 100644
--- a/cgatcore/pipeline/control.py
+++ b/cgatcore/pipeline/control.py
@@ -340,7 +340,7 @@ def peek_parameters(workingdir,
     # patch for the "config" target - use default
     # pipeline directory if directory is not specified
     # working dir is set to "?!"
-    if ("config" in sys.argv or "check" in sys.argv or "clone" in sys.argv and workingdir == "?!"):
+    if (("config" in sys.argv or "check" in sys.argv or "clone" in sys.argv) and workingdir == "?!"):
         workingdir = os.path.join(get_params()["pipelinedir"],
                                   "pipeline_" + pipeline)