diff --git a/gramps/gui/editors/editplace.py b/gramps/gui/editors/editplace.py
index 63e65d094..6ec6e5e45 100644
--- a/gramps/gui/editors/editplace.py
+++ b/gramps/gui/editors/editplace.py
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ class EditPlace(EditPrimary):
     def set_latlongitude(self, value):
         try:
             # Bug 12349
-            parts = value.index(', ')
+            parts = value.split(', ')
             if len(parts) == 2:
                 longitude = parts[0].strip().replace(',', '.')
                 latitude = parts[1].strip().replace(',', '.')
diff --git a/gramps/gui/editors/editplaceref.py b/gramps/gui/editors/editplaceref.py
index cb043886b..4ec7f23fb 100644
--- a/gramps/gui/editors/editplaceref.py
+++ b/gramps/gui/editors/editplaceref.py
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ class EditPlaceRef(EditReference):
     def set_latlongitude(self, value):
         try:
             # Bug 12349
-            parts = value.index(', ')
+            parts = value.split(', ')
             if len(parts) == 2:
                 longitude = parts[0].strip().replace(',', '.')
                 latitude = parts[1].strip().replace(',', '.')