diff --git a/autoload/airline/extensions/wordcount.vim b/autoload/airline/extensions/wordcount.vim
index a098bb1f..cce2e8ea 100644
--- a/autoload/airline/extensions/wordcount.vim
+++ b/autoload/airline/extensions/wordcount.vim
@@ -20,11 +20,11 @@ else
     let idx = a:visual_mode_active ? 5 : 11
 
     let save_status = v:statusmsg
-    execute "silent normal! g\<cn-g>"
+    execute "silent normal! g\<c-g>"
     let stat = v:statusmsg
     let v:statusmsg = save_status
 
-    let parts = split(stat)
+    let parts = split(substitute(stat, ';', '', 'g'))
     if len(parts) > idx
       return parts[idx]
     endif