diff --git a/.tmux.1-8.conf b/.tmux.1-8.conf
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3269488
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.tmux.1-8.conf
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+bind s split-window -v # horizontal window split
+bind v split-window -h # vertical window split
diff --git a/.tmux.1-9.conf b/.tmux.1-9.conf
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a95c348
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.tmux.1-9.conf
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+unbind c; bind c new-window -c #{pane_current_path}"
+bind s split-window -v -c #{pane_current_path}" # horizontal window split
+bind v split-window -h -c #{pane_current_path}" # vertical window split
diff --git a/.tmux.conf b/.tmux.conf
index 366fc91..4e7319c 100644
--- a/.tmux.conf
+++ b/.tmux.conf
@@ -39,13 +39,7 @@ bind-key -t vi-copy 'v' begin-selection
 bind-key -t vi-copy 'y' copy-selection
 bind y run-shell "tmux show-buffer | xclip -sel clip -i"
 
-# because the new tmux is inadequate
-bind c new-window -c "#{pane_current_path}"
-
 # be more like vim
-bind s split-window -v -c "#{pane_current_path}" # horizontal window split
-bind v split-window -h -c "#{pane_current_path}" # vertical window split
-
 bind h select-pane -L                   # left pane
 bind j select-pane -D                   # bottom pane
 bind k select-pane -U                   # top pane
@@ -65,3 +59,6 @@ set-window-option -g window-status-current-bg white
 set-window-option -g window-status-current-fg black
 set-option -g status-right '%d %b %Y @ %k:%M'
 
+# because the new tmux is inadequate
+if-shell 'test "$(tmux -V) = "tmux 1.8"' "source-file ~/.tmux.1-8.conf"
+if-shell 'test "$(tmux -V) = "tmux 1.9"' "source-file ~/.tmux.1-9.conf"