diff --git a/modules/lang/common-lisp/config.el b/modules/lang/common-lisp/config.el
index 0044697f7..8a79a6dc8 100644
--- a/modules/lang/common-lisp/config.el
+++ b/modules/lang/common-lisp/config.el
@@ -80,7 +80,9 @@
       "Attempt to auto-start sly when opening a lisp buffer."
       (cond ((or (doom-temp-buffer-p (current-buffer))
                  (sly-connected-p)))
-            ((executable-find (car (split-string inferior-lisp-program)))
+            ((executable-find (car (if (listp inferior-lisp-program)
+                                       inferior-lisp-program
+                                     (split-string inferior-lisp-program))))
              (let ((sly-auto-start 'always))
                (sly-auto-start)
                (add-hook 'kill-buffer-hook #'+common-lisp--cleanup-sly-maybe-h nil t)))
diff --git a/modules/lang/common-lisp/doctor.el b/modules/lang/common-lisp/doctor.el
index 3c1842726..6901bf6f2 100644
--- a/modules/lang/common-lisp/doctor.el
+++ b/modules/lang/common-lisp/doctor.el
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
 ;;; lang/common-lisp/doctor.el -*- lexical-binding: t; -*-
 
 (when (require 'sly nil t)
-  (let ((prog-name (car (split-string inferior-lisp-program))))
-    (unless (executable-find prog-name)
-      (warn! "Couldn't find your `inferior-lisp-program' (%s). Is it installed?"
-             inferior-lisp-program))))
+  (unless (executable-find
+           (car (if (listp inferior-lisp-program)
+                    inferior-lisp-program
+                  (split-string inferior-lisp-program))))
+    (warn! "Couldn't find your `inferior-lisp-program' (%s). Is it installed?"
+           inferior-lisp-program)))