diff --git a/jrnl/args.py b/jrnl/args.py
index dba5a749..6a2a86ea 100644
--- a/jrnl/args.py
+++ b/jrnl/args.py
@@ -243,10 +243,10 @@ def parse_args(args=[]):
     reading.add_argument(
         "-not",
         dest="excluded",
-        nargs="?",
+        nargs=1,
         default=[],
         metavar="TAG",
-        action="append",
+        action="extend",
         help="Exclude entries with this tag",
     )
 
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_parse_args.py b/tests/unit/test_parse_args.py
index f408c9aa..aadc6684 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test_parse_args.py
+++ b/tests/unit/test_parse_args.py
@@ -88,6 +88,12 @@ def test_end_date_alone():
     assert expected == cli_as_dict("-to 2020-01-01")
 
 
+def test_not_empty():
+    with pytest.raises(SystemExit) as wrapped_e:
+        cli_as_dict("-not")
+    assert wrapped_e.value.code == 2
+
+
 def test_not_alone():
     assert cli_as_dict("-not test") == expected_args(excluded=["test"])