diff --git a/lib/models/node.js b/lib/models/node.js
index 17957101c..c558d069b 100644
--- a/lib/models/node.js
+++ b/lib/models/node.js
@@ -979,7 +979,7 @@ const Node = {
 
     // While the parent is an inline parent, split the inline nodes.
     while (parent = node.getClosestInline(firstChild)) {
-      firstChild = parent.merge({ nodes: [firstChild] })
+      firstChild = parent.merge({ nodes: Inline.createMap([firstChild]) })
       secondChild = Inline.create({
         nodes: [secondChild],
         type: parent.type,