diff --git a/slurm.py b/slurm.py
index a916693..3e18a40 100755
--- a/slurm.py
+++ b/slurm.py
@@ -235,9 +235,9 @@ def __init__(self, w, k, *l):
         self.sub = List(*l)
 
     def parse(self, sacctmgr):
-        self.key.format(sacctmgr)
         self.key.parse(sacctmgr)
         if self.key.val is not None:
+            self.key.format(sacctmgr)
             sacctmgr.args.append(self.args)
             self.sub.format(sacctmgr)
             self.sub.parse(sacctmgr)