diff --git a/regressionFinder.py b/regressionFinder.py
index 8f08f32c85debae78fb31df0c80e25f3a8363997..bb98afaf780d0fa6236e39fb4c0f57cb8db0c04d 100644
--- a/regressionFinder.py
+++ b/regressionFinder.py
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ def parseArgs():
     parser.add_argument("--SecondBuildOnHead", dest="secondBuildOnHead", action="store_true", help="Enable this parameter to build the second commit against branch HEAD instead of searching for a COIN integration.")
     parser.add_argument("--OpenGLBackend", dest="openGLBackend", type=str, default="desktop", help="Render backend options. Valid options are \'desktop\', \'angle\', \'software\'")
     parser.add_argument("--jobName", dest="jobName", type=str, help="unique job name used for writing results file to logs directory. Typically a hash of the job to be run.")
-    parser.add_argument("--patches", dest="patches", type=list, help="List of patches to apply before building")
+    parser.add_argument("--patches", dest="patches", type=str, help="List of patches to apply before building")
     parser.add_argument("--environment", dest="environment", type=str, help="Comma separated list of environment variables and values to use for the build and test environment.")
 
     return parser.parse_args()
@@ -658,8 +658,7 @@ def applyPatches(currentModule):
     if not args.patches:
         return
     else:
-
-        for patch in [args.patches] if type(args.patches) is not list else args.patches:
+        for patch in args.patches.split(","):
             url = ""
             ref = patch
             module = ""
@@ -1060,6 +1059,7 @@ def reportStatusUpdate(status_msg=""):
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     atexit.register(on_exit)
     args = parseArgs()
+    print(args.patches, type(args.patches))
     prepareEnv()
     initRepositories()
     if not validateCommits() or not validateTest():  # Validate inputs!