diff --git a/plugin/padlib/handler.py b/plugin/padlib/handler.py
index 45914c5..a73ce8b 100644
--- a/plugin/padlib/handler.py
+++ b/plugin/padlib/handler.py
@@ -34,7 +34,10 @@ def open_pad(path=None, first_line=None): #{{{1
         path = join(get_save_dir(), timestamp())
 
     if bool(int(vim.eval("g:pad_open_in_split"))):
-        vim.command("silent! botright" + str(vim.eval("g:pad_window_height")) + "split " + path)
+        if vim.eval('g:pad_position') == 'right':
+            vim.command("silent! rightbelow" + str(vim.eval("g:pad_window_width")) + "vsplit " + path)
+        else:
+            vim.command("silent! botright" + str(vim.eval("g:pad_window_height")) + "split " + path)
     else:
         vim.command("silent! edit " + path)
 
diff --git a/plugin/padlib/vim_globals.py b/plugin/padlib/vim_globals.py
index dac467f..c7496ea 100644
--- a/plugin/padlib/vim_globals.py
+++ b/plugin/padlib/vim_globals.py
@@ -28,6 +28,6 @@ def set_vim_globals():
 
         # we forbid writing backups of the notes
     orig_backupskip = vim.eval("&backupskip")
-    vim.command("set backupskip=" +
-            ",".join([orig_backupskip, join(get_save_dir(), "*")]))
+    vim.command("let &backupskip='" +
+            ",".join([orig_backupskip, join(get_save_dir(), "*")])+"'")