diff --git a/lisp/use-package/use-package.el b/lisp/use-package/use-package.el
index f6c21e0a903..a2ce335d1d8 100644
--- a/lisp/use-package/use-package.el
+++ b/lisp/use-package/use-package.el
@@ -1471,7 +1471,9 @@ deferred until the prefix key sequence is pressed."
         (use-package-error
          (concat label " a (<symbol> <value> [comment])"
                  " or list of these")))
-      arg)))
+      (if (symbolp (car arg))
+          (list arg)
+        arg))))
 
 (defun use-package-handler/:custom (name keyword args rest state)
   "Generate use-package custom keyword code."