diff --git a/nipype/interfaces/spm/preprocess.py b/nipype/interfaces/spm/preprocess.py
index a4f4643f6b..dbafdcd18d 100644
--- a/nipype/interfaces/spm/preprocess.py
+++ b/nipype/interfaces/spm/preprocess.py
@@ -337,7 +337,11 @@ class ApplyVDM(SPMCommand):
     def _format_arg(self, opt, spec, val):
         """Convert input to appropriate format for spm"""
 
-        if opt in ["in_files", "vdmfile"]:
+        if opt == 'in_files':
+            return scans_for_fnames(
+                ensure_list(val), keep4d=False, separate_sessions=False
+            )
+        if opt == 'vdmfile':
             return scans_for_fname(ensure_list(val))
         return super(ApplyVDM, self)._format_arg(opt, spec, val)