diff --git a/docs/advanced.rst b/docs/advanced.rst
index ac883915..f5db6ef9 100644
--- a/docs/advanced.rst
+++ b/docs/advanced.rst
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ The configuration file is a simple JSON file with the following options and can
 - ``journals``
       paths to your journal files
 - ``editor``
-    if set, executes this command to launch an external editor for writing your entries, e.g. ``vim``. Some editors require special options to work properly, see :doc:`FAQ <recipes>` for details.
+    if set, executes this command to launch an external editor for writing your entries, e.g. ``vim``. Some editors require special options to work properly, see :doc:`FAQ <recipes>` for details. This value can either be a string such as the earlier ``"editor": "vim"`` example or ``"editor": ["vim", "+set ft=markdown"]`` if you want to pass arguments to the editor.
 - ``encrypt``
     if ``true``, encrypts your journal using AES.
 - ``tagsymbols``
diff --git a/jrnl/util.py b/jrnl/util.py
index e9df0fb1..47cb5a18 100644
--- a/jrnl/util.py
+++ b/jrnl/util.py
@@ -130,7 +130,9 @@ def get_text_from_editor(config, template=""):
     with codecs.open(tmpfile, 'w', "utf-8") as f:
         if template:
             f.write(template)
-    subprocess.call(config['editor'].split() + [tmpfile])
+    editor = config['editor']
+    args = editor if isinstance(editor, list) else editor.split()
+    subprocess.call(args + [tmpfile])
     with codecs.open(tmpfile, "r", "utf-8") as f:
         raw = f.read()
     os.remove(tmpfile)