diff --git a/.bash_aliases b/.bash_aliases
index e324dd5..f457fd2 100644
--- a/.bash_aliases
+++ b/.bash_aliases
@@ -5,32 +5,32 @@ mkcdir () {
 
 # Preview contents of a file or list the contents of a directory
 l () {
-    if [ -n "$1" ] ; then
+    if [ -f "$1" ] ; then
         less $1
         return
     fi
 
-    ls -lh $1
+    ls -lh $1 || l $(dirname "$1")
 }
 
 # Preview the contents of a file or list the contents of a directory with hidden files shown
 ll () {
-    if [ -n "$1" ] ; then
+    if [ -f "$1" ] ; then
         less $1
         return
     fi
 
-    ls -lah $1
+    ls -lah $1 || ll $(dirname "$1")
 }
 
 # Edit the contents of a file or list the contents of a directory (with hidden files shown) if that file is not found
 lll () {
-    if [ -n "$1" ] ; then
+    if [ -f "$1" ] ; then
         nano $1
         return
     fi
 
-    ls -lah $1
+    ls -lah $1 || lll $(dirname "$1")
 }
 
 .. () {