diff --git a/src/vs/workbench/parts/terminal/electron-browser/terminalActions.ts b/src/vs/workbench/parts/terminal/electron-browser/terminalActions.ts
index db367583fb20ac96818c9e13e5b8e160b2faa114..59184ab75c99b1051f8ad344bc3d92fd40772d1a 100644
--- a/src/vs/workbench/parts/terminal/electron-browser/terminalActions.ts
+++ b/src/vs/workbench/parts/terminal/electron-browser/terminalActions.ts
@@ -225,7 +225,10 @@ export class SwitchTerminalInstanceAction extends Action {
 	}
 
 	public run(item?: string): TPromise<any> {
-		let selectedTerminalIndex = parseInt(item.split(':')[0], 10) - 1;
+		if (!item) {
+			return TPromise.as(null);
+		}
+		const selectedTerminalIndex = parseInt(item.split(':')[0], 10) - 1;
 		this.terminalService.setActiveInstanceByIndex(selectedTerminalIndex);
 		return this.terminalService.showPanel(true);
 	}