diff --git a/kitty/launch.py b/kitty/launch.py
index 9276d6e6f..162bcab6a 100644
--- a/kitty/launch.py
+++ b/kitty/launch.py
@@ -386,6 +386,7 @@ def launch(
             if active:
                 kw['cwd_from'] = CwdRequest(active, CwdRequestType.last_reported)
         elif opts.cwd == 'oldest':
+            if active:
                 kw['cwd_from'] = CwdRequest(active, CwdRequestType.last_reported)
         else:
             kw['cwd'] = opts.cwd