diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 6645ad5..cd464c0 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -107,10 +107,34 @@ let g:bullets_custom_mappings = [
   \ ]
 ```
 
-Enable/disable deleting the last empty bullet when hitting `<cr>` (insert mode) or `o` (normal mode):
+Enable/disable deleting or promoting the last empty bullet when hitting `<cr>` (insert mode) or `o` (normal mode):
 
 ```vim
-let g:bullets_delete_last_bullet_if_empty = 0 " default = 1
+" Example (| is cursor):
+" - text
+"   - text
+"   - |
+
+let g:bullets_delete_last_bullet_if_empty = 1 " default = 1
+" - text
+"   - text
+" |
+
+let g:bullets_delete_last_bullet_if_empty = 0
+" - text
+"   - text
+"   - 
+"   |
+
+let g:bullets_delete_last_bullet_if_empty = 2
+" - text
+"   - text
+" - |
+"
+" again:
+" - text
+"   - text
+" |
 ```
 
 Line spacing between bullets (1 = no blank lines, 2 = one blank line, etc.):
diff --git a/doc/bullets.txt b/doc/bullets.txt
index c0b560f..3d7a1bc 100644
--- a/doc/bullets.txt
+++ b/doc/bullets.txt
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ To add a leader key to all mappings set the following:
 This will set the <space> key as leader to all default mappings.
 
 
-Disabling empty bullet deletion
+Empty bullet deletion
 -------------------------------
 By default bullets.vim will delete trailing empty bullets when the return key
 is pressed, just like modern word processors.
@@ -157,6 +157,10 @@ If you would like to turn this feature off add the following to your .vimrc
 
   `let g:bullets_delete_last_bullet_if_empty = 0`
 
+If you would like to promote bullet instead of deleting it, add the following to your .vimrc
+
+  `let g:bullets_delete_last_bullet_if_empty = 2`
+
 
 Maintain right padding on bullets
 ---------------------------------
diff --git a/plugin/bullets.vim b/plugin/bullets.vim
index 75a63f3..513d194 100644
--- a/plugin/bullets.vim
+++ b/plugin/bullets.vim
@@ -574,7 +574,11 @@ fun! s:insert_new_bullet()
       " We don't want to create a new bullet if the previous one was not used,
       " instead we want to delete the empty bullet - like word processors do
       if g:bullets_delete_last_bullet_if_empty
-        call setline(l:curr_line_num, '')
+        if g:bullets_delete_last_bullet_if_empty == 1
+          call setline(l:curr_line_num, '')
+        elseif g:bullets_delete_last_bullet_if_empty == 2
+          call <SID>change_bullet_level(1, 0)
+        endif
         let l:send_return = 0
       endif
     elseif !(l:bullet.bullet_type ==# 'abc' && s:abc2dec(l:bullet.bullet) + 1 > s:abc_max)
diff --git a/spec/bullets_spec.rb b/spec/bullets_spec.rb
index 9d91c12..cf370f0 100644
--- a/spec/bullets_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/bullets_spec.rb
@@ -271,6 +271,31 @@
         TEXT
       end
 
+      it 'promote the last bullet when configured to' do
+        filename = "#{SecureRandom.hex(6)}.txt"
+        write_file(filename, <<-TEXT)
+          # Hello there
+          - this is the first bullet
+            - this is the second bullet
+        TEXT
+
+        vim.command 'let g:bullets_delete_last_bullet_if_empty = 2'
+        vim.edit filename
+        vim.type 'GA'
+        vim.feedkeys '\<cr>'
+        vim.feedkeys '\<cr>'
+        vim.write
+
+        file_contents = IO.read(filename)
+
+        expect(file_contents.strip).to eq normalize_string_indent(<<-TEXT)
+          # Hello there
+          - this is the first bullet
+            - this is the second bullet
+          -
+        TEXT
+      end
+
       it 'does not delete the last bullet when configured not to' do
         filename = "#{SecureRandom.hex(6)}.txt"
         write_file(filename, <<-TEXT)