diff --git a/i3/config b/i3/config
index 3a1d4f3..4c80a71 100644
--- a/i3/config
+++ b/i3/config
@@ -269,9 +269,9 @@ bindsym XF86AudioMute exec --no-startup-id $scriptdir/pa-volume mute-toggle
 bindsym XF86AudioRaiseVolume exec --no-startup-id $scriptdir/pa-volume set-vol +3
 bindsym XF86AudioLowerVolume exec --no-startup-id $scriptdir/pa-volume set-vol -3
 
-bindsym XF86AudioPlay exec dbus-send --print-reply --dest=org.mpris.MediaPlayer2.spotify /org/mpris/MediaPlayer2 org.mpris.MediaPlayer2.Player.PlayPause
-bindsym XF86AudioNext exec dbus-send --print-reply --dest=org.mpris.MediaPlayer2.spotify /org/mpris/MediaPlayer2 org.mpris.MediaPlayer2.Player.Next
-bindsym XF86AudioPrev exec dbus-send --print-reply --dest=org.mpris.MediaPlayer2.spotify /org/mpris/MediaPlayer2 org.mpris.MediaPlayer2.Player.Previous
+bindsym XF86AudioPlay exec $scriptdir/spotify-control toggle
+bindsym XF86AudioNext exec $scriptdir/spotify-control next
+bindsym XF86AudioPrev exec $scriptdir/spotify-control previous
 
 # keys seemingly switched
 bindsym XF86MonBrightnessUp   exec --no-startup-id xbacklight -dec 5 ; exec --no-startup-id $scriptdir/update-status
diff --git a/i3/scripts/spotify-control b/i3/scripts/spotify-control
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..21371f7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/i3/scripts/spotify-control
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+case "$1" in
+toggle)
+    cmd="PlayPause"
+    ;;
+next)
+    cmd="Next"
+    ;;
+previous)
+    cmd="Previous"
+    ;;
+*)
+    echo "wrong argument $1"
+    exit 1
+    ;;
+esac
+
+dbus-send --print-reply --dest=org.mpris.MediaPlayer2.spotify /org/mpris/MediaPlayer2 org.mpris.MediaPlayer2.Player."${cmd}"