diff --git a/src/handlers.c b/src/handlers.c
index 148d6337..cb76eb78 100644
--- a/src/handlers.c
+++ b/src/handlers.c
@@ -119,7 +119,9 @@ static void handle_key_press(xcb_key_press_event_t *event) {
         }
     }
 
-    struct CommandResult *command_output = parse_command(bind->command);
+    char *command_copy = sstrdup(bind->command);
+    struct CommandResult *command_output = parse_command(command_copy);
+    free(command_copy);
 
     if (command_output->needs_tree_render)
         tree_render();