diff --git a/redbot/cogs/alias/alias.py b/redbot/cogs/alias/alias.py
index 68025944d..a977fa9fe 100644
--- a/redbot/cogs/alias/alias.py
+++ b/redbot/cogs/alias/alias.py
@@ -280,7 +280,7 @@ class Alias(commands.Cog):
             )
             return
 
-        given_command_exists = self.bot.get_command(command) is not None
+        given_command_exists = self.bot.get_command(command.split(maxsplit=1)[0]) is not None
         if not given_command_exists:
             await ctx.send(
                 _("You attempted to create a new alias for a command that doesn't exist.")