diff --git a/dwtt b/dwtt
index 45b431b..da87024 100755
--- a/dwtt
+++ b/dwtt
@@ -86,10 +86,13 @@ def processTask(cmd, store):
         # the task already exists, update it
         store.updateTask(task.taskid, nameparts[-1], longname)
         return False
-    parenttask = store.getParentTaskByName(fullname)
-    if parenttask is None:
-        return 'Parent task not found'
-    store.createTask(nameparts[-1].strip(), longname, parenttask.taskid)
+    if len(nameparts) > 1:
+        parenttask = store.getParentTaskByName(fullname)
+        if parenttask is None:
+            return 'Parent task not found'
+        store.createTask(nameparts[-1].strip(), longname, parenttask.taskid)
+    else:
+        store.createTask(nameparts[-1].strip(), longname, None)
     return False
 
 COMMAND_HANDLERS = {