diff --git a/gallery_dl/__init__.py b/gallery_dl/__init__.py
index d5893b77..2cad029f 100644
--- a/gallery_dl/__init__.py
+++ b/gallery_dl/__init__.py
@@ -127,6 +127,8 @@ def main():
         # extractor modules
         modules = config.get(("extractor",), "modules")
         if modules is not None:
+            if isinstance(modules, str):
+                modules = modules.split(",")
             extractor.modules = modules
             extractor._module_iter = iter(modules)