diff --git a/nodes/core/logic/17-split.html b/nodes/core/logic/17-split.html
index 5d1e6e6dd..fccb8c0d0 100644
--- a/nodes/core/logic/17-split.html
+++ b/nodes/core/logic/17-split.html
@@ -295,7 +295,8 @@
     For object outputs, once this count has been reached, the node can be configured to send a message for each subsequent message
     received.</p>
     <p>A <i>timeout</i> can be set to trigger sending the new message using whatever has been received so far.</p>
-    <p>If a message is received with the <b>msg.complete</b> property set, the output message is sent.</p>
+    <p>If a message is received with the <b>msg.complete</b> property set, the output message is finalised and sent.
+    This resets any part counts.</p>
 
     <h4>Reduce Sequence mode</h4>
     <p>When configured to join in reduce mode, an expression is applied to each
diff --git a/nodes/core/logic/17-split.js b/nodes/core/logic/17-split.js
index 3170ba584..f5ad199ca 100644
--- a/nodes/core/logic/17-split.js
+++ b/nodes/core/logic/17-split.js
@@ -586,7 +586,10 @@ module.exports = function(RED) {
                     }
                     else {
                         if (msg.hasOwnProperty('complete')) {
-                            completeSend(partId);
+                            if (inflight[partId]) {
+                                inflight[partId].msg.complete = msg.complete;
+                                completeSend(partId);
+                            }
                         }
                         else {
                             node.warn("Message missing key property 'msg."+node.key+"' - cannot add to object")
@@ -594,6 +597,7 @@ module.exports = function(RED) {
                     }
                     return;
                 }
+
                 if (!inflight.hasOwnProperty(partId)) {
                     if (payloadType === 'object' || payloadType === 'merged') {
                         inflight[partId] = {
@@ -604,19 +608,6 @@ module.exports = function(RED) {
                             msg:RED.util.cloneMessage(msg)
                         };
                     }
-                    else if (node.accumulate === true) {
-                        if (msg.hasOwnProperty("reset")) { delete inflight[partId]; }
-                        inflight[partId] = inflight[partId] || {
-                            currentCount:0,
-                            payload:{},
-                            targetCount:targetCount,
-                            type:payloadType,
-                            msg:RED.util.cloneMessage(msg)
-                        }
-                        if (payloadType === 'string' || payloadType === 'array' || payloadType === 'buffer') {
-                            inflight[partId].payload = [];
-                        }
-                    }
                     else {
                         inflight[partId] = {
                             currentCount:0,