diff --git a/test/test_YoutubeDL.py b/test/test_YoutubeDL.py
index 20f45f439..9a3c28f8c 100644
--- a/test/test_YoutubeDL.py
+++ b/test/test_YoutubeDL.py
@@ -311,6 +311,7 @@ class TestFormatSelection(unittest.TestCase):
         assert_syntax_error('bestvideo,,best')
         assert_syntax_error('+bestaudio')
         assert_syntax_error('bestvideo+')
+        assert_syntax_error('/')
 
     def test_format_filtering(self):
         formats = [
diff --git a/youtube_dl/YoutubeDL.py b/youtube_dl/YoutubeDL.py
index efa3254ce..c608ff91a 100755
--- a/youtube_dl/YoutubeDL.py
+++ b/youtube_dl/YoutubeDL.py
@@ -960,6 +960,8 @@ class YoutubeDL(object):
                         selectors.append(current_selector)
                         current_selector = None
                     elif string == '/':
+                        if not current_selector:
+                            raise syntax_error('"/" must follow a format selector', start)
                         first_choice = current_selector
                         second_choice = _parse_format_selection(tokens, inside_choice=True)
                         current_selector = FormatSelector(PICKFIRST, (first_choice, second_choice), [])