diff --git a/src/sign.c b/src/sign.c
index 0dfc552..686a943 100644
--- a/src/sign.c
+++ b/src/sign.c
@@ -1237,6 +1237,7 @@
     char_u	*arg1;
     char_u	*name;
     char_u	*filename = NULL;
+    int		lnum_arg = FALSE;
 
     // first arg could be placed sign id
     arg1 = arg;
@@ -1259,6 +1260,7 @@
 	    arg += 5;
 	    *lnum = atoi((char *)arg);
 	    arg = skiptowhite(arg);
+	    lnum_arg = TRUE;
 	}
 	else if (STRNCMP(arg, "*", 1) == 0 && cmd == SIGNCMD_UNPLACE)
 	{
@@ -1327,7 +1329,8 @@
 
     // If the filename is not supplied for the sign place or the sign jump
     // command, then use the current buffer.
-    if (filename == NULL && (cmd == SIGNCMD_PLACE || cmd == SIGNCMD_JUMP))
+    if (filename == NULL && ((cmd == SIGNCMD_PLACE && lnum_arg)
+		|| cmd == SIGNCMD_JUMP))
 	*buf = curwin->w_buffer;
 
     return OK;