diff --git a/parse_config.h b/parse_config.h
index d6af40f..2ab3b1c 100644
--- a/parse_config.h
+++ b/parse_config.h
@@ -362,10 +362,10 @@ FuncType parse_func_name(char *func_name, Arg *arg, char *arg_value) {
     func = toggle_scratchpad;
   } else if (strcmp(func_name, "focusmon") == 0) {
     func = focusmon;
-    (*arg).i = atoi(arg_value);
+    (*arg).i = parse_direction(arg_value);
   } else if (strcmp(func_name, "tagmon") == 0) {
     func = tagmon;
-    (*arg).i = atoi(arg_value);
+    (*arg).i = parse_direction(arg_value);
   } else if (strcmp(func_name, "incgaps") == 0) {
     func = incgaps;
     (*arg).i = atoi(arg_value);